Day 149 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 29 May 2023 reflections
Day 149, 29 May 2023
1) 2 Chronicles 1:1
1 Kings 3:1-4
2 Chronicles 1:2-6
1 Kings 3:5-15
2 Chronicles 1:7-17
1 Kings 3:16-28
1 Kings 4
Psalms 72
2 Chronicles 1:1
Solomon Seeks Wisdom
1 (1Ch 29:25; 1Ki 2:12) Now Solomon the son of David strengthened himself
over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made Solomon
exceedingly great.
1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom,
and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
1 Kings 3:1-4
1 Kings 3
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
2Ch 1:2-13
1 (1Ki 9:24; 2Sa 5:7) Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt.
He married Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the City of David
until he finished building his palace, the house of the Lord,
and the wall around Jerusalem.
2 (1Ki 22:43; Dt 12:2-5) The people were sacrificing at the high places,
because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 (Dt 6:5; Ps 31:23) Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his
father David, though he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
4 (1Ch 16:39; 21:29) The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was
the great high place, and he offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
Marriage to Pharaoh's Daughter
1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's
daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an
end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall
of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house
built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father:
only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great
high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
2 Chronicles 1:2-6
2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands
and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel,
the heads of fathers' houses.
3 Then they all went, Solomon and all the assembly that was with him,
to the high place that was at Gibeon, because the tent of meeting with God,
which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there.
4 However, David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim
to the place he had prepared, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5 And the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made was set before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon
and the assembly sought it out to seek the Lord.
6 And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was before
the tent of meeting, and he offered up a thousand burnt offerings on it.
2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of
hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief
of the fathers.
3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place
which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it
at Jerusalem.
5 Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the
congregation sought unto it. 6And Solomon went up thither to the brasen
altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation,
and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
1 Kings 3:5-15
5 (1Ki 9:2; Nu 12:6; Mt 1:20) While he was in Gibeon, the Lord appeared
to Solomon in a dream at night, and He said, "Ask what you want from Me."
6 (1Ki 1:48; 9:4) Solomon answered, "You have shown great mercy
to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness,
righteousness, and uprightness of heart toward You. And You have shown him
great kindness in giving him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7 (Nu 27:17; 1Ch 29:1) "Now, O Lord, my God, You have made Your servant king
in place of my father David, and I am still a little child and do not know how
to go out or come in.
8 (Ge 15:5; 13:16) And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom
You have chosen, a great people, so numerous that they cannot be numbered
or counted.
9 (2Sa 14:17; Ps 72:1-2) Give Your servant therefore an understanding heart
to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who is
able to judge among so great a people?"
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 God said to him,"Because you have asked this and have not asked
for yourself long life or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked
for yourself wisdom so that you may have discernment in judging,
12 (1Ki 5:12; Ecc 1:16) I now do according to your words. I have given you
a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone
like you in the past, and there shall never arise another like you.
13 (1Ki 4:21-24; Pr 3:16) I have also given you what you have not asked,
both riches and honor, so that no kings will compare to you all of your days.
14 (Ps 91:16; Pr 3:2) If you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes
and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days."
15 (Ge 41:7; 1Ki 8:65) Solomon awoke and found it was a dream.
Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant
of the Lord and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings and made
a feast for all of his servants.
Solomon's Choice of Wisdom
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said,
Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great
mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness,
and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this
great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne,
as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David
my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen,
a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people,
that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this
thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not
asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself,
nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself
understanding to discern judgment;
12 behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise
and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee,
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches,
and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee
all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments,
as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem,
and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt
offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
2 Chronicles 1:7-13
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him,
"Ask what I might give to you."
8 Then Solomon said to God, "You have given a great mercy to David my father
and have made me king in his place.
9 Now, Lord God, may Your word to David my father be confirmed,
for You have made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth.
10 Now give wisdom and knowledge to me so that I might know how to go
before this people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?"
11 Then God responded to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart
and you did not ask for possessions, wealth, and honor,
or even the life of those who hate you, nor have you asked for many days
of life, but you have asked Me for wisdom and knowledge that you might govern
My people over whom I have made you king,
12 wisdom and knowledge are now given to you. Possessions, wealth, and honor
I will also give to you; such has not been given to kings before you nor those
who will follow after you."
13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, before the tent of meeting,
to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him,
Ask what I shall give thee.
8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David
my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established:
for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in
multitude.
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before
this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast
not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither
yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself,
that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches,
and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon
to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation,
and reigned over Israel.
2 Chron 1
14 Solomon gathered together chariots and horses. He had 1400 chariots
and 1200 horses, and he put them in designated cities and with the king
in Jerusalem.
15 The king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as abundant as stones
and cedar as plentiful as sycamore trees in the lowlands of the Shephelah.
16 The horses of Solomon were imported from Egypt and Kue,
and the traders of the king would take them from Kue for a price.
17 They imported chariots from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver
and a horse for one hundred and fifty pieces. And they imported
from these places to all the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.
14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand
and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen,
which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones,
and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale
for abundance.
16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn:
the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot
for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty:
and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites,
and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
1 Kings 3:16-28
The Wisdom of Solomon
16 (Nu 27:2) At that time, two women who were prostitutes came
and stood before the king.
17 The first woman said, "O my lord, this woman and I live in the same house,
and I bore a child with her in the house.
18 Three days after I gave birth, she also had a child, and we were together.
There was no one else with us in the house, only the two of us were
in the house.
19 "Then this woman's child died during the night
because she rolled over on it.
20 She got up at midnight and took my son from beside me while your servant
slept and laid him at her bosom and laid her dead child at my bosom.
21 When I rose in the morning to feed my child, it was dead.
But when I looked closely in the morning light, I recognized
that it was not my son whom I bore."
22 The other woman said, "No, the living is my son, and the dead is your son."
And she said, "No, the dead is your son, and the living is my son."
Thus they spoke before the king.
23 Then the king said, "One says, 'This is my son who lives, and your son
is the dead,' and the other says, 'No, but your son is dead,
and my son is the living.' "
24 So the king said, "Bring me a sword." And they brought a sword
before the king.
25 The king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one
and half to the other."
26 (Ge 43:30; Isa 49:15) Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke
to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son, and she said,
"O my lord, give her the living child, and do not kill it."
But the other said, "Let it be neither mine nor yours and divide it."
27 Then the king answered and said, "Give her the living child,
and do not slay it. She is its mother."
28 (Col 2:3; Ezr 7:25) All Israel heard of the king's judgment,
and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God
was in him, to execute sound judgment.
16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king,
and stood before him.
17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house;
and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this
woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with
us in the house, save we two in the house.
19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine
handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead:
but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son,
which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead
is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living
is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son
is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is
the living.
24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the
king.
25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the
one, and half to the other.
26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her
bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living
child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor
thine, but divide it.
27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child,
and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they
feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do
judgment.
1 Kings 4
The Court of Solomon
1 So King Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 These were the officials in his court:
Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest.
3 (2Sa 8:16) Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries.
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;
4 (1Ki 2:35) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army.
Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
5 (2Sa 15:37; 16:16) Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers,
and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer and the king's friend.
6 (2Sa 20:24; 1Ki 9:15) Ahishar was over the household,
and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the forced labor.
7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel who made provision
for the king and his household. Each man was assigned a month
to make provision.
8 (Jos 24:33) These are their names:
the son of Hur in Mount Ephraim;
9 the son of Deker in Makaz and in Shaalbim and Beth Shemesh
and Elon Bethhanan;
10 (Jos 12:17; 15:35) the son of Hesed in Arubboth (to him belonged
Sokoh and all the land of Hepher);
11 Jos 11:2the son of Abinadab in all the region of Dor
(he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife);
12 (Jos 17:11; 3:16) Baana the son of Ahilud in Taanach, Megiddo,
and all Beth Shan that is by Zarethan beneath Jezreel, and from Beth Shan
to Abel Meholah as far as the other side of Jokmeam;
13 (Nu 32:41; Dt 3:4) the son of Geber in Ramoth Gilead
(to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh which are in Gilead,
and also the region of Argob which is in Bashan, sixty great cities
with walls and iron bars);
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo in Mahanaim;
15 Ahimaaz in Naphtali (he had taken Basemath the daughter of Solomon
as his wife);
16 Baana the son of Hushai in Asher and in Aloth;
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah in Issachar;
18 (1Ki 1:8) Shimei the son of Ela in Benjamin;
19 Geber the son of Uri in the country of Gilead, the country of Sihon
king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. He was the only officer
who was in that region.
The Wealth of Solomon
20 (Ge 22:17; 1Ki 3:8) Judah and Israel had a large populace, as numerous
as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.
21 (Ge 15:18; Jos 1:4) Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River
(Euphrates River.) to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.
The people brought presents and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty kors
[Likely about 51/2 tons, or 5 metric tons.] of fine flour and sixty kors
[Likely about 11 tons, or 10 metric tons.] of meal,
2 3ten fat oxen and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep in addition
to deer, roebucks, gazelle, and fatted poultry.
24 (1Ch 22:9; Ps 72:11) For he had dominion over all the region on this side
of the River [Euphrates River.] from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings
on this side of the River,[Euphrates River. ] and he had peace on all borders
of his land.
25 (Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10) Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine
and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba all the days of Solomon.
26 (2Ch 1:14; 9:25) Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses
for his chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 Those officers made provision for King Solomon and for all who came
to King Solomon's table, every man in his month, and they lacked nothing.
28 (Est 8:10; 8:14) Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries
were brought to the place where the officers were, every man according
to his charge.
29 (1Ki 3:12; 4:20) God gave Solomon wisdom and great depth of understanding
as well as compassion, as vast as the sand on the seashore.
30 (Ac 7:22; Ge 25:6) Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the people
of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 (1Ki 3:12; 1Ch 2:6) For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than
Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol;
his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.
32 (Ecc 12:9) He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered
a thousand and five.
33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon to the hyssop
that springs out of the wall. He also spoke of beasts and
of fowl and of insects and fish.
34 (1Ki 10:1; 2Ch 9:23) People from all over came to hear the wisdom
of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4
His Princes
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok
the priest,
3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes;
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host:
and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers:
and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
6 and Ahishar was over the household:
and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals
for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
9 the son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh,
and Elon-beth-hanan:
10 the son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh,
and all the land of Hepher:
11 the son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath
the daughter of Solomon to wife:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo,
and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean
to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
13 the son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region
of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls
and brasen bars:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter
of Solomon to wife:
16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of
Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan;
and he was the only officer which was in the land.
20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea
in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the
land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt:
they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour,
and threescore measures of meal,
23 ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep,
beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from
Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he
had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under
his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots,
and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that
came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto
the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness
of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east
country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman,
and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations
round about.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were
a thousand and five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto
the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts,
and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Psalms 72
A Psalm of Solomon.
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
and Your righteousness to the king's son.
2 May he judge Your people with righteousness,
and Your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains bring well-being to the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he judge the poor of the people,
may he save the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear You as long as the sun endures,
and the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he descend like rain on the mown grass,
as showers dripping on the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May those who dwell in the wilderness bow before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
bring presents;
the kings of Sheba and Seba offer a gift.
11 May all kings bow down before him;
may all nations serve him.
12 Indeed, may he deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor also, and him who has no helper.
13 May he have compassion on the poor and needy,
and save the lives of the needy.
14 May he redeem their life from deceit and violence;
and may their blood be precious in his sight.
15 May he live long,
and may one give him the gold of Sheba;
and pray for him continually;
and all day long may he be blessed.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth
on the top of the mountains;
may its fruit shake like Lebanon;
and may those from the city flourish like grass of the earth.
17 May his name endure forever;
may his name increase as long as the sun.
May men be blessed in him;
may all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
19 Blessed be His glorious name forever;
and may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalm 72
[1] Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the
king's son.
[2] He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with
judgment.
[3] The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by
righteousness.
[4] He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the
needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
[5] They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all
generations.
[6] He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water
the earth.
[7] In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long
as the moon endureth.
[8] He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the
ends of the earth.
[9] They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies
shall lick the dust.
[10] The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings
of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
[11] Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
[12] For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him
that hath no helper.
[13] He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the
needy.
[14] He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall
their blood be in his sight.
[15] And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba:
prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be
praised.
[16] There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the
mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city
shall flourish like grass of the earth.
[17] His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as
the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him
blessed.
[18] Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous
things.
[19] And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be
filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
[20] The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 May 2023 titled
Hope That Holds By James Banks
Habakkuk 3:11–19
The Prayer of Habakkuk
11 The sun and moon stood still in their places;
at the light of Your arrows they went,
at the flash of Your glittering spear.
12 (Jer 51:33; Mic 4:12-13) You marched throughout the earth in indignation;
You threshed the nations in anger.
13 (Ps 110:6; 105:15) You went forth to deliver Your people,
to deliver Your anointed one.
You wounded the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from head to foot. Selah
14 (Ps 10:8; Da 11:40) You pierced with his own arrows
the leaders of his villages.
They came like a whirlwind to scatter me;
their rejoicing was like devouring the poor in secret.
15 (Ps 77:19; Hab 3:8) You trampled the sea with Your horses,
through the wakes of great waters.
16 (Hab 3:2; Jer 23:9) I heard, and my body trembled;
my lips quivered at the sound;
rottenness entered my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will wait quietly for the day
when calamity comes on the people invading us.
A Hymn of Faith
17 Though the fig tree does not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines;
though the yield of the olive fails,
and the fields produce no food;
though the flocks are cut off from the fold,
and there be no herd in the stalls -
18 (Php 4:4; Job 13:15) yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
19 (Dt 33:29; 32:13) The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like hinds' feet,
and He will make me walk on my high places.
To the Music Director: with my stringed instruments.
[11] The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine
arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
[12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the
heathen in anger.
[13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation
with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked,
by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
[14] Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages:
they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour
the poor secretly.
[15] Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of
great waters.
[16] When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice:
rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might
rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will
invade them with his troops.
[17] Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no
meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd
in the stalls:
[18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
[19] The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet,
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my
stringed instruments.
"I know Daddy's coming home because he sent me flowers." Those were my
seven-year-old sister's words to our mother when Dad was missing in action
during wartime. Before Dad left for his mission, he preordered flowers for my
sister's birthday, and they arrived while he was missing. But she was right:
Dad did come home-after a harrowing combat situation. And decades later, she
still keeps the vase that held the flowers as a reminder to always hold on to
hope.
Sometimes holding on to hope isn't easy in a broken, sinful world. Daddies
don't always come home, and children's wishes sometimes go unfulfilled. But
God gives hope in the most difficult circumstances. In another time of war,
the prophet Habakkuk predicted the Babylonian invasion of Judah (Habakkuk 1:6;
see 2 Kings 24) but still affirmed that God is always good (Habakkuk 1:12-13).
Remembering God's kindness to His people in the past, Habakkuk proclaimed:
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though
the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep
in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will
be joyful in God my Saviour" (3:17–18).
Some commentators believe Habakkuk's name means "to cling." We can cling to God as our ultimate hope and joy even in trials
because He holds on to us and will never let go.
How does rejoicing in God help you in difficult times?
What can you do to praise Him today?
Father, thank You that come what may, my future is bright with You!
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 2 - Growing Up
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction
in righteousness,
17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness:
17 that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
"I can't wait till I get big!" Marc, age 5, declared. "Then I do
what I want!" Most of us, as children, shared Marc's statement.
We looked forward to that "magic age" - 16, 18, 21 - when we
would be adults: mature, able to make our own decisions.
We find, of course, that adulthood has its own share of
difficulties and conflicts. But even in our spiritual lives
we often long for a "magic moment" of maturity. As one woman
confessed, "Ever since I became a Christian, I've hoped I'd wake up
one morning to find myself mature."
But growth in the spiritual life comes gradually, like growth in
the physical world. In 2 Tim 2:16-17, Paul gives the young pastor
Timothy an important key to spiritual growing up - the Word of God.
The Word is "profitable" or "useful," Paul says, for "teaching" - that is,
for developing a right concept of God. Scripture offers "rebuke" when
we go wrong, "correction" to set us on the right path, and "training
in righteousness" so that we can grow in the image of Christ.
The purpose of Scripture's work in our lives, Paul emphasises,
is that we may be "perfect" - mature, equipped for the good things
God has for us to do. Such maturity does not come easily
or instantaneously, but it does come - sometimes imperceptibly -
as we submit our lives to the transforming power of God's Word.
Application
a) In what areas of my life do I need to grow? How can I benefit
from the Bible's
i) teaching?
ii) rebuke?
iii) correction?
iv) training in righteousness?
b) How can memorising God's Word help me grow in those areas?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,
for He is your life and the length of your days;
and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord
swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,
and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:
for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:
that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD
sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment
For all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses,
His acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide:
Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children,
So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to eek the wisdom of the Lord each day in obedince.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You that come what may,
my future is bright with You!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that all Scripture is inspired
by the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to choose to honour his Covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember Him as Lord of Salvation,
Mercy and Justice.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight .
Pray for good partnerships amid denominational leaders in Syria
working to advance God's Kingdom.
1) 2 Chronicles 1:1
1 Kings 3:1-4
2 Chronicles 1:2-6
1 Kings 3:5-15
2 Chronicles 1:7-17
1 Kings 3:16-28
1 Kings 4
Psalms 72
2 Chronicles 1:1
Solomon Seeks Wisdom
1 (1Ch 29:25; 1Ki 2:12) Now Solomon the son of David strengthened himself
over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made Solomon
exceedingly great.
1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom,
and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
1 Kings 3:1-4
1 Kings 3
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
2Ch 1:2-13
1 (1Ki 9:24; 2Sa 5:7) Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt.
He married Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the City of David
until he finished building his palace, the house of the Lord,
and the wall around Jerusalem.
2 (1Ki 22:43; Dt 12:2-5) The people were sacrificing at the high places,
because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 (Dt 6:5; Ps 31:23) Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his
father David, though he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
4 (1Ch 16:39; 21:29) The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was
the great high place, and he offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
Marriage to Pharaoh's Daughter
1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's
daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an
end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall
of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house
built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father:
only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great
high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
2 Chronicles 1:2-6
2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands
and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel,
the heads of fathers' houses.
3 Then they all went, Solomon and all the assembly that was with him,
to the high place that was at Gibeon, because the tent of meeting with God,
which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there.
4 However, David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim
to the place he had prepared, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5 And the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made was set before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon
and the assembly sought it out to seek the Lord.
6 And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was before
the tent of meeting, and he offered up a thousand burnt offerings on it.
2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of
hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief
of the fathers.
3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place
which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it
at Jerusalem.
5 Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the
congregation sought unto it. 6And Solomon went up thither to the brasen
altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation,
and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
1 Kings 3:5-15
5 (1Ki 9:2; Nu 12:6; Mt 1:20) While he was in Gibeon, the Lord appeared
to Solomon in a dream at night, and He said, "Ask what you want from Me."
6 (1Ki 1:48; 9:4) Solomon answered, "You have shown great mercy
to your servant David my father, because he walked before You in faithfulness,
righteousness, and uprightness of heart toward You. And You have shown him
great kindness in giving him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7 (Nu 27:17; 1Ch 29:1) "Now, O Lord, my God, You have made Your servant king
in place of my father David, and I am still a little child and do not know how
to go out or come in.
8 (Ge 15:5; 13:16) And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom
You have chosen, a great people, so numerous that they cannot be numbered
or counted.
9 (2Sa 14:17; Ps 72:1-2) Give Your servant therefore an understanding heart
to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who is
able to judge among so great a people?"
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 God said to him,"Because you have asked this and have not asked
for yourself long life or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked
for yourself wisdom so that you may have discernment in judging,
12 (1Ki 5:12; Ecc 1:16) I now do according to your words. I have given you
a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone
like you in the past, and there shall never arise another like you.
13 (1Ki 4:21-24; Pr 3:16) I have also given you what you have not asked,
both riches and honor, so that no kings will compare to you all of your days.
14 (Ps 91:16; Pr 3:2) If you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes
and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days."
15 (Ge 41:7; 1Ki 8:65) Solomon awoke and found it was a dream.
Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant
of the Lord and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings and made
a feast for all of his servants.
Solomon's Choice of Wisdom
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said,
Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great
mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness,
and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this
great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne,
as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David
my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen,
a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people,
that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this
thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not
asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself,
nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself
understanding to discern judgment;
12 behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise
and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee,
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches,
and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee
all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments,
as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem,
and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt
offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
2 Chronicles 1:7-13
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him,
"Ask what I might give to you."
8 Then Solomon said to God, "You have given a great mercy to David my father
and have made me king in his place.
9 Now, Lord God, may Your word to David my father be confirmed,
for You have made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth.
10 Now give wisdom and knowledge to me so that I might know how to go
before this people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?"
11 Then God responded to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart
and you did not ask for possessions, wealth, and honor,
or even the life of those who hate you, nor have you asked for many days
of life, but you have asked Me for wisdom and knowledge that you might govern
My people over whom I have made you king,
12 wisdom and knowledge are now given to you. Possessions, wealth, and honor
I will also give to you; such has not been given to kings before you nor those
who will follow after you."
13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, before the tent of meeting,
to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him,
Ask what I shall give thee.
8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David
my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established:
for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in
multitude.
10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before
this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast
not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither
yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself,
that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches,
and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon
to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation,
and reigned over Israel.
2 Chron 1
14 Solomon gathered together chariots and horses. He had 1400 chariots
and 1200 horses, and he put them in designated cities and with the king
in Jerusalem.
15 The king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as abundant as stones
and cedar as plentiful as sycamore trees in the lowlands of the Shephelah.
16 The horses of Solomon were imported from Egypt and Kue,
and the traders of the king would take them from Kue for a price.
17 They imported chariots from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver
and a horse for one hundred and fifty pieces. And they imported
from these places to all the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.
14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand
and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen,
which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones,
and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale
for abundance.
16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn:
the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot
for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty:
and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites,
and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
1 Kings 3:16-28
The Wisdom of Solomon
16 (Nu 27:2) At that time, two women who were prostitutes came
and stood before the king.
17 The first woman said, "O my lord, this woman and I live in the same house,
and I bore a child with her in the house.
18 Three days after I gave birth, she also had a child, and we were together.
There was no one else with us in the house, only the two of us were
in the house.
19 "Then this woman's child died during the night
because she rolled over on it.
20 She got up at midnight and took my son from beside me while your servant
slept and laid him at her bosom and laid her dead child at my bosom.
21 When I rose in the morning to feed my child, it was dead.
But when I looked closely in the morning light, I recognized
that it was not my son whom I bore."
22 The other woman said, "No, the living is my son, and the dead is your son."
And she said, "No, the dead is your son, and the living is my son."
Thus they spoke before the king.
23 Then the king said, "One says, 'This is my son who lives, and your son
is the dead,' and the other says, 'No, but your son is dead,
and my son is the living.' "
24 So the king said, "Bring me a sword." And they brought a sword
before the king.
25 The king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one
and half to the other."
26 (Ge 43:30; Isa 49:15) Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke
to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son, and she said,
"O my lord, give her the living child, and do not kill it."
But the other said, "Let it be neither mine nor yours and divide it."
27 Then the king answered and said, "Give her the living child,
and do not slay it. She is its mother."
28 (Col 2:3; Ezr 7:25) All Israel heard of the king's judgment,
and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God
was in him, to execute sound judgment.
16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king,
and stood before him.
17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house;
and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this
woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with
us in the house, save we two in the house.
19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine
handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead:
but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son,
which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead
is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living
is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son
is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is
the living.
24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the
king.
25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the
one, and half to the other.
26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her
bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living
child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor
thine, but divide it.
27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child,
and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they
feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do
judgment.
1 Kings 4
The Court of Solomon
1 So King Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 These were the officials in his court:
Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest.
3 (2Sa 8:16) Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries.
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;
4 (1Ki 2:35) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army.
Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
5 (2Sa 15:37; 16:16) Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers,
and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer and the king's friend.
6 (2Sa 20:24; 1Ki 9:15) Ahishar was over the household,
and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the forced labor.
7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel who made provision
for the king and his household. Each man was assigned a month
to make provision.
8 (Jos 24:33) These are their names:
the son of Hur in Mount Ephraim;
9 the son of Deker in Makaz and in Shaalbim and Beth Shemesh
and Elon Bethhanan;
10 (Jos 12:17; 15:35) the son of Hesed in Arubboth (to him belonged
Sokoh and all the land of Hepher);
11 Jos 11:2the son of Abinadab in all the region of Dor
(he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife);
12 (Jos 17:11; 3:16) Baana the son of Ahilud in Taanach, Megiddo,
and all Beth Shan that is by Zarethan beneath Jezreel, and from Beth Shan
to Abel Meholah as far as the other side of Jokmeam;
13 (Nu 32:41; Dt 3:4) the son of Geber in Ramoth Gilead
(to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh which are in Gilead,
and also the region of Argob which is in Bashan, sixty great cities
with walls and iron bars);
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo in Mahanaim;
15 Ahimaaz in Naphtali (he had taken Basemath the daughter of Solomon
as his wife);
16 Baana the son of Hushai in Asher and in Aloth;
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah in Issachar;
18 (1Ki 1:8) Shimei the son of Ela in Benjamin;
19 Geber the son of Uri in the country of Gilead, the country of Sihon
king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. He was the only officer
who was in that region.
The Wealth of Solomon
20 (Ge 22:17; 1Ki 3:8) Judah and Israel had a large populace, as numerous
as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.
21 (Ge 15:18; Jos 1:4) Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River
(Euphrates River.) to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.
The people brought presents and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty kors
[Likely about 51/2 tons, or 5 metric tons.] of fine flour and sixty kors
[Likely about 11 tons, or 10 metric tons.] of meal,
2 3ten fat oxen and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep in addition
to deer, roebucks, gazelle, and fatted poultry.
24 (1Ch 22:9; Ps 72:11) For he had dominion over all the region on this side
of the River [Euphrates River.] from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings
on this side of the River,[Euphrates River. ] and he had peace on all borders
of his land.
25 (Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10) Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine
and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba all the days of Solomon.
26 (2Ch 1:14; 9:25) Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses
for his chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 Those officers made provision for King Solomon and for all who came
to King Solomon's table, every man in his month, and they lacked nothing.
28 (Est 8:10; 8:14) Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries
were brought to the place where the officers were, every man according
to his charge.
29 (1Ki 3:12; 4:20) God gave Solomon wisdom and great depth of understanding
as well as compassion, as vast as the sand on the seashore.
30 (Ac 7:22; Ge 25:6) Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the people
of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 (1Ki 3:12; 1Ch 2:6) For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than
Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol;
his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.
32 (Ecc 12:9) He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered
a thousand and five.
33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon to the hyssop
that springs out of the wall. He also spoke of beasts and
of fowl and of insects and fish.
34 (1Ki 10:1; 2Ch 9:23) People from all over came to hear the wisdom
of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4
His Princes
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok
the priest,
3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes;
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host:
and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers:
and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
6 and Ahishar was over the household:
and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals
for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
9 the son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh,
and Elon-beth-hanan:
10 the son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh,
and all the land of Hepher:
11 the son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath
the daughter of Solomon to wife:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo,
and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean
to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
13 the son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region
of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls
and brasen bars:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter
of Solomon to wife:
16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of
Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan;
and he was the only officer which was in the land.
20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea
in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the
land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt:
they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour,
and threescore measures of meal,
23 ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep,
beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from
Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he
had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under
his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots,
and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that
came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto
the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness
of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east
country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman,
and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations
round about.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were
a thousand and five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto
the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts,
and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Psalms 72
A Psalm of Solomon.
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
and Your righteousness to the king's son.
2 May he judge Your people with righteousness,
and Your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains bring well-being to the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he judge the poor of the people,
may he save the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear You as long as the sun endures,
and the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he descend like rain on the mown grass,
as showers dripping on the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May those who dwell in the wilderness bow before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
bring presents;
the kings of Sheba and Seba offer a gift.
11 May all kings bow down before him;
may all nations serve him.
12 Indeed, may he deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor also, and him who has no helper.
13 May he have compassion on the poor and needy,
and save the lives of the needy.
14 May he redeem their life from deceit and violence;
and may their blood be precious in his sight.
15 May he live long,
and may one give him the gold of Sheba;
and pray for him continually;
and all day long may he be blessed.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth
on the top of the mountains;
may its fruit shake like Lebanon;
and may those from the city flourish like grass of the earth.
17 May his name endure forever;
may his name increase as long as the sun.
May men be blessed in him;
may all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
19 Blessed be His glorious name forever;
and may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalm 72
[1] Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the
king's son.
[2] He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with
judgment.
[3] The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by
righteousness.
[4] He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the
needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
[5] They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all
generations.
[6] He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water
the earth.
[7] In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long
as the moon endureth.
[8] He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the
ends of the earth.
[9] They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies
shall lick the dust.
[10] The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings
of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
[11] Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
[12] For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him
that hath no helper.
[13] He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the
needy.
[14] He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall
their blood be in his sight.
[15] And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba:
prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be
praised.
[16] There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the
mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city
shall flourish like grass of the earth.
[17] His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as
the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him
blessed.
[18] Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous
things.
[19] And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be
filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
[20] The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 May 2023 titled
Hope That Holds By James Banks
Habakkuk 3:11–19
The Prayer of Habakkuk
11 The sun and moon stood still in their places;
at the light of Your arrows they went,
at the flash of Your glittering spear.
12 (Jer 51:33; Mic 4:12-13) You marched throughout the earth in indignation;
You threshed the nations in anger.
13 (Ps 110:6; 105:15) You went forth to deliver Your people,
to deliver Your anointed one.
You wounded the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from head to foot. Selah
14 (Ps 10:8; Da 11:40) You pierced with his own arrows
the leaders of his villages.
They came like a whirlwind to scatter me;
their rejoicing was like devouring the poor in secret.
15 (Ps 77:19; Hab 3:8) You trampled the sea with Your horses,
through the wakes of great waters.
16 (Hab 3:2; Jer 23:9) I heard, and my body trembled;
my lips quivered at the sound;
rottenness entered my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will wait quietly for the day
when calamity comes on the people invading us.
A Hymn of Faith
17 Though the fig tree does not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines;
though the yield of the olive fails,
and the fields produce no food;
though the flocks are cut off from the fold,
and there be no herd in the stalls -
18 (Php 4:4; Job 13:15) yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
19 (Dt 33:29; 32:13) The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like hinds' feet,
and He will make me walk on my high places.
To the Music Director: with my stringed instruments.
[11] The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine
arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
[12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the
heathen in anger.
[13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation
with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked,
by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
[14] Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages:
they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour
the poor secretly.
[15] Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of
great waters.
[16] When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice:
rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might
rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will
invade them with his troops.
[17] Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no
meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd
in the stalls:
[18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
[19] The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet,
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my
stringed instruments.
"I know Daddy's coming home because he sent me flowers." Those were my
seven-year-old sister's words to our mother when Dad was missing in action
during wartime. Before Dad left for his mission, he preordered flowers for my
sister's birthday, and they arrived while he was missing. But she was right:
Dad did come home-after a harrowing combat situation. And decades later, she
still keeps the vase that held the flowers as a reminder to always hold on to
hope.
Sometimes holding on to hope isn't easy in a broken, sinful world. Daddies
don't always come home, and children's wishes sometimes go unfulfilled. But
God gives hope in the most difficult circumstances. In another time of war,
the prophet Habakkuk predicted the Babylonian invasion of Judah (Habakkuk 1:6;
see 2 Kings 24) but still affirmed that God is always good (Habakkuk 1:12-13).
Remembering God's kindness to His people in the past, Habakkuk proclaimed:
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though
the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep
in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will
be joyful in God my Saviour" (3:17–18).
Some commentators believe Habakkuk's name means "to cling." We can cling to God as our ultimate hope and joy even in trials
because He holds on to us and will never let go.
How does rejoicing in God help you in difficult times?
What can you do to praise Him today?
Father, thank You that come what may, my future is bright with You!
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 2 - Growing Up
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 (Ro 15:4) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction
in righteousness,
17 (1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:21) that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness:
17 that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
"I can't wait till I get big!" Marc, age 5, declared. "Then I do
what I want!" Most of us, as children, shared Marc's statement.
We looked forward to that "magic age" - 16, 18, 21 - when we
would be adults: mature, able to make our own decisions.
We find, of course, that adulthood has its own share of
difficulties and conflicts. But even in our spiritual lives
we often long for a "magic moment" of maturity. As one woman
confessed, "Ever since I became a Christian, I've hoped I'd wake up
one morning to find myself mature."
But growth in the spiritual life comes gradually, like growth in
the physical world. In 2 Tim 2:16-17, Paul gives the young pastor
Timothy an important key to spiritual growing up - the Word of God.
The Word is "profitable" or "useful," Paul says, for "teaching" - that is,
for developing a right concept of God. Scripture offers "rebuke" when
we go wrong, "correction" to set us on the right path, and "training
in righteousness" so that we can grow in the image of Christ.
The purpose of Scripture's work in our lives, Paul emphasises,
is that we may be "perfect" - mature, equipped for the good things
God has for us to do. Such maturity does not come easily
or instantaneously, but it does come - sometimes imperceptibly -
as we submit our lives to the transforming power of God's Word.
Application
a) In what areas of my life do I need to grow? How can I benefit
from the Bible's
i) teaching?
ii) rebuke?
iii) correction?
iv) training in righteousness?
b) How can memorising God's Word help me grow in those areas?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Deut 30:19-20
19 (Dt 4:26; 30:1) I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 (Dt 10:20; Ps 27:1) that you may love the Lord your God,
that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him,
for He is your life and the length of your days;
and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord
swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 that thou mayest love the LORD thy God,
and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him:
for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:
that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD
sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Freeing Forgiveness
Ps 103:1-14
PSALMS 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) who forgives all your iniquities,
who heals all your diseases,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The Lord does righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the people of Israel.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He will not always accuse,
neither will He keep his anger forever.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord gives compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103
A Psalm of David.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul:
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment
For all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses,
His acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide:
Neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children,
So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame;
He remembereth that we are dust.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to eek the wisdom of the Lord each day in obedince.
Pray to the Lord: "Father, thank You that come what may,
my future is bright with You!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to recall that all Scripture is inspired
by the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to choose to honour his Covenant.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember Him as Lord of Salvation,
Mercy and Justice.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight .
Pray for good partnerships amid denominational leaders in Syria
working to advance God's Kingdom.