Christian Devotional – August 9, 2016

Read 1 Kings chapter 16

VERSE:

1 Kings 16:34–In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun.

TRUTH:

This verse may seem out of place to some people as the author continues to list and tell of the various kings during this time. However, this verse tells of an amazing fulfillment of prophecy. If you look back at Joshua 6:26, we see that the Lord had just helped the people of Israel defeat the city of Jericho and at that time, Joshua had pronounced a curse on anyone who would try to rebuild it. That had been hundreds of years prior and now, in 1 Kings chapter 16, we see that someone did rebuild it and everything that was prophesied came true. In this chapter that talks so much about how evil the leaders were, it’s encouraging to see that God still keeps His promises. God is still in control and He will honor His Word, even if it’s not immediate, but is several years, or hundreds of years, in the making.

RESPONSE:

Father, I am so glad that You are trustworthy and that You do what You say You are going to do. I know that Your words are truth and I pray that You will give me the faith to obey them and live by them no matter what is going on around me.