“Our story is not only about exile and oppression and suffering. It is the story of thriving, of triumph, and of great faith. It is the story of a people that laughs in the face of deepest despair, that stubbornly clings to life and to joy even in the face of horror and death. We take our pain and turn it into poetry. We take our misfortune and transform it into opportunity.”
1 KINGS 3-5
7“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.(3:7-15)
LUKE 23:1-26
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17]a
18But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”
JOURNAL
Jesus is sentenced to die. Pilate tries to find every way possible to let him go but ultimately the power of public opinion moves him to the ultimate conclusion. It is interesting to juxtapose this scene with that of Solomon and his dream. Solomon is asked by God what he would like for God to give him and Solomon asks for wisdom. Intuitively he knows that to lead a mass of people is an impossible task. In granting him wisdom God gave him the power of wealth and position as well. These gifts ensured that Solomon would be extremely powerful.
How often, in my own life, am I more moved by the power of public opinion or the imagined future and fear of it, than I am with the wisdom of God? If I am being honest...too often, and this is why it is imperative that I spend time reading scripture and in prayer. The power of the world is far too much to overcome in my own power. I need God's wisdom, direction and instruction.
Scripture promises that with his spirit, there is nothing that I cannot face or overcome. Life then is an opportunity to overcome trials, adversity and opposition. Every day is a new canvas waiting for my brush strokes...what will I paint, what will I create...will I surrender to public opinion and fear of the future or will I surrender to God and seek him in all circumstances, in all problems and in all blessings?
Jesus is sentenced to die. Pilate tries to find every way possible to let him go but ultimately the power of public opinion moves him to the ultimate conclusion. It is interesting to juxtapose this scene with that of Solomon and his dream. Solomon is asked by God what he would like for God to give him and Solomon asks for wisdom. Intuitively he knows that to lead a mass of people is an impossible task. In granting him wisdom God gave him the power of wealth and position as well. These gifts ensured that Solomon would be extremely powerful.
How often, in my own life, am I more moved by the power of public opinion or the imagined future and fear of it, than I am with the wisdom of God? If I am being honest...too often, and this is why it is imperative that I spend time reading scripture and in prayer. The power of the world is far too much to overcome in my own power. I need God's wisdom, direction and instruction.
Scripture promises that with his spirit, there is nothing that I cannot face or overcome. Life then is an opportunity to overcome trials, adversity and opposition. Every day is a new canvas waiting for my brush strokes...what will I paint, what will I create...will I surrender to public opinion and fear of the future or will I surrender to God and seek him in all circumstances, in all problems and in all blessings?
How often, in my own life, am I more moved by the power of public opinion or the imagined future and fear of it, than I am with the wisdom of God? If I am being honest...too often, and this is why it is imperative that I spend time reading scripture and in prayer. The power of the world is far too much to overcome in my own power. I need God's wisdom, direction and instruction.
Scripture promises that with his spirit, there is nothing that I cannot face or overcome. Life then is an opportunity to overcome trials, adversity and opposition. Every day is a new canvas waiting for my brush strokes...what will I paint, what will I create...will I surrender to public opinion and fear of the future or will I surrender to God and seek him in all circumstances, in all problems and in all blessings?
26To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.
ECCLESIATES 2:26
ECCLESIATES 2:26
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