This week I was reading 2 Kings 1. King David was old, weak, and soon to transition in this chapter. Who would reign as king in his place? His eldest living son Adonijah decided that he would be the next King. He appointed himself to the office unbeknown to King David. The scripture says, “Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and invited all his brothers, the King’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the King’s servants [to this feast]. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the most formidable warriors, or his brother Solomon”. 1 King 1:5-9 Adonijah purposely excluded them. King David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would reign as King once he passed. But his other son had other plans. Here’s a nugget, Don’t be concerned about self-appointed folk or those who don’t include you or invite you. God has called you and will place you in the position He has for you, and He is not seeking validation from man. As the story continues, Nathan, the prophet, informed Bathsheba of Adonijah’s actions and advised her to put the King in remembrance of His promise, which was a type and shadow of how we are to approach our Heavenly Father and remind Him of His word. He hasn’t forgotten the promises He made to us in His Word, but He longs for us to bring His Word back to Him as an act of our faith. Remind the Father of what He promised to you!

As the chapter progresses, we see that Bathsheba goes before King David. I took account of how she approached the King. When Bathsheba entered his presence, “she bowed and paid respect to the king.” Amplified Version[AMP]. The King James Version ( KJV) says she “bowed and did obeisance unto the king.” What is obeisance? The Blue Letter Bible Concordance defines the word as “to bow down, to prostrate {lay oneself flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission} before a superior, before God in worship. As there is protocol in the natural, there’s protocol in the Kingdom of God. While God is our Father, we still must honor, respect, and pay homage to Him. Throughout the Bible, and even in the world, we see examples of how to approach earthly kings. How much more are we to show honor, reverence, and respect to the King of Kings. In the book of Esther, the Queen was intentional in approaching the King even though He was also her husband. She was aware that going before the King without being summoned could cost you your life. Thanks be to God that Jesus tore the veil that separated us from the Father. We now have direct access to the Father in Jesus’ name. But that doesn’t allow for us to approach the Father casually. We often show more reverence and respect to our employers and other secular individuals in leadership than God. Shame on us! It behooves us as believers not to become so familiar with the Heavenly Father that we lose respect! We should bow down and worship Him. We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

Challenge: In your prayer time this week, when entering in His presence, if you’re physically able, lay prostrate, bow down in His presence. Let’s give honor to our King, who is soon to return. More importantly, let’s make sure we have a heart submitted to the Father.

Let’s pray,

Father, it’s in the name of Jesus that we come before you. We thank you for life, health, strength, and protection. You’re a good Father. Help us, Lord, to acknowledge you in all our ways so that you can direct our paths. Father, forgive us for not reverencing you as we should. We thank you for the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us, teaching us and leading us in the way we should go. Lord, we honor, love, and respect you from this day forward. We give you all the glory, honor, and praise in Jesus’ name.

BHM

 We all face challenges in this life, and often those trials seem overwhelming. It can be the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, severed relationships, etc. As believers, we must be careful not to minimize the situations of others and try to comfort folks with religious jargon. Quite often, it’s best if we shut up (yes, I said it) and be there for someone, whether it’s just your presence, a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to vent to. Let us not be hypocritical and offer lofty words of encouragement; let us be led by the Holy Spirit and indeed allow the Father to minister as He knows what they need at that specific time. Even in our darkest hour and despite all our suffering and hardships, there’s hope and good news! In John 16:33 ….. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding].” While we will experience painful situations and loss, we can rest in the fact that Jesus has overcome this world, and one day death will be swallowed up. Oh, what a happy day that will be. Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away, And He who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new.”

When you find yourself in a situation, and you feel like you can’t go on, call out to the Father. Remember, after Jesus’ ascension; He promised that the comforter would come. You have the comforter (Holy Spirit) inside you if you are born again. He desires to comfort you and bring joy to your heart. Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father also uses people to bring encouragement and comfort. Don’t be reluctant to reach out to trusted individuals for support. The Father uses individuals to meet our needs. 

Challenge for the week. Reach out to someone for assistance if needed. 

Let’s pray. Father, we come before you, thanking you for life, health, and strength. We thank you for the grace and mercy that you extend to us. Help us draw closer to you in every way and maintain this closeness in good times and not-so-good times. We desire to live lives that are pleasing to you. Let us set ourselves aside and be the answer to someone’s prayer. We love you and praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen

BHM