THE LORD SPOKE (May 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Kings 20-21

I Kings 20:11 - "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off." (English translation: “Don't count your chickens before the eggs are hatched.”)

Ben-Hadad had a big mouth. He also had a big army. God used wicked King Ahab of Samaria to finally destroy both. With 7,000 troops (I Ki. 20:16) he set out against a coalition of 32 kings assembled under Ben-Hadad the Syrian and sent them packing (I Ki. 20:21). But problems have a way of returning and the next spring (I Ki. 20:26) Ben-Hadad was back with even bigger numbers (I Ki. 20:27) and a new strategy (I Ki. 20:25,28). This time the Israelite victory was greater yet (I Ki. 20:29) and God himself was part of the mop-up campaign (I Ki. 20:30).

It left Ben-Hadad on the run, hiding out in dark places, humbling himself, and pleading for his very life (I Ki. 20:30b-32). When he does finally meet with Ahab he's as meek as a pussy-cat and offers all the concessions (I Ki. 20:34). Ahab's conciliatory handling of the affair was displeasing to the Lord who had determined to punish Ben-Hadad (I Ki. 20:41-42). In fact, nearly everything about Ahab was displeasing to the Lord (I Ki. 21:25-26) and a terrible judgment is pronounced upon him (I Ki. 20:20-24).

That would be the conclusion of the matter but for one detail. Ahab repented (I Ki. 21:27) and humbled himself before God and, again, amazing grace kicked in. We're left with a feeling of unsatisfied justice when God does not rain down fire and brimstone on Ahab. Instead, it seems like He lets Ahab off the hook.

But should we feel that way? Keep in mind, our details here are limited. We don't know all the various ways in which God was working on this occasion - in the life of Ahab himself, in the prophet who delivered God's message, in the soldiers in Ahab's army, in all the staff in the palace who watched developments with their boss, in the whole nation of Israelites who had suffered so much under Ahab's rule.... The tapestry was huge and Ahab's thread was just one element in what God was doing. And don't forget - if you were Ahab, wouldn't you want God to treat you this same way?

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)


New Testament: I Corinthians 11

The “Lord’s supper” is a church ordinance. That means it’s commanded. And that means it’s commanded for the church to practice when it “comes together”. It’s not appropriate for a group of young people to do their own thing at a beach party. It’s not right for a chaplain to “administer the sacrament” in a hospital room. And it’s not right for a Christian school to serve communion in a school assembly.

Communion is a church ordinance. But it certainly is that and ought to be taken very seriously, whether once a week, once a month, or once a year (the Scriptures are silent on that). It should be a significant time when the church comes together (stated four times in I Cor. 11:17-22). It should be a time of self-examination and confession - both individually and corporately. And it should be a time of remembering Christ’s great sacrifice and the promise of His return. Together, it involves:

1) A Backward Look - To Remember the Death of Christ

The simple elements of unleavened bread and wine, taken from the Jewish Passover seder, were endowed with tremendous meaning by the Lord Jesus at His last supper with the disciples. As symbols in an act of obedience, they demonstrate our recognition of Christ’s sacrifice and our utter dependency upon Him.

2) An Inward Look - To Purify the Body of Christ

Being a periodic practice, communion provides us with a natural apparatus to (1) review our life and recent activities, (2) restore our spiritual energy and connection to the Savior, and (3) renew our commitment to the Master.

3) A Forward Look - To Anticipate the Coming of Christ

Lifting our heads, we look with joyful hope to that day when we will be united with Him forever. We long for that and find great strength for the present journey in it.

Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)