“Elah son of Baasha began to rule over Israel in the twenty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. He reigned in the city of Tirzah for two years. 1 kings 16:8 NLT”
“Zimri began to rule over Israel in the twenty-seventh year of King Asa’s reign in Judah, but his reign in Tirzah lasted only seven days. The army of Israel was then attacking the Philistine town of Gibbethon. 16 When they heard that Zimri had committed treason and had assassinated the king, that very day they chose Omri, commander of the army, as the new king of Israel.” 1 Kings 16:15-16 NLT
“Ahab son of Omri began to rule over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him.” 1 Kings 16:29-30 NLT
God of Israel and Judah,
As we progress through Kings we see the quick changes of sovereign in Judah and the treason and assassinations that are caused by the desire to reign. To have power, riches and be desirable to women? The gold, the glory and the girls. Used to be preachers headings for sin. Nowadays it would be wealth, power and sex? Nothing new under the sun as Solomon said.
Two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Did the people have choices for who they worshipped or were a new generation wanting to throw off the old? Or was it easier to go with the flow of what the King suggested? Sinful kings led them astray or allowed them to go astray?
As Christians we are called to enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13,14). Through Jesus, You Lord, never said it would be easy but that it would lead to life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus was and is the gate that allow us to enter into Your Kingdom and Your presence Lord. (John 10:7). Help us to daily choose Your way even if it is tough, costs us or seems the harder choice. Remind us that there are others who love Jesus and are choosing Your way and be encouraged. Remind us what it would be like to live without You . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 21st June 2025
I could not do without thee,
O Saviour of the lost,
whose precious blood redeemed me
at such tremendous cost;
thy righteousness, thy pardon,
thy precious blood, must be
my only hope and comfort,
my glory and my plea.
I could not do without thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
no wisdom of my own;
but thou, belovèd Saviour,
art all in all to me,
and weakness will be power
if leaning hard on thee.
I could not do without thee,
O Jesus, Saviour dear;
E’en when my eyes are holden,
I know that thou art near;
how dreary and how lonely
this changeful life would be
without the sweet communion,
the secret rest with thee.
I could not do without thee,
for years are fleeting fast,
and soon in solemn loneness
the river must be passed;
but thou wilt never leave me,
and though the waves roll high,
I know thou wilt be near me,
and whisper, ‘It is I.’
Lyrics: Francis Riley Havergal