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Our Best Thought
21
Aug
God Judges out of Mercy
The people of Israel would have known from their parents and priests that, according to the Law, suffering and exile would be the consequences of living apart from God’s way (Deut. 28).
The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, reminded the people of this again and again. Though these warnings of disaster seemed like bad news, they are actually words of mercy!
14
Aug
No Darkness Can Hide God
King Manasseh of Judah led God’s people astray, and they sunk into idolatry and injustice. Manasseh’s actions were heinous—he installed idols of the gods of Canaan in the holy temple of Jerusalem. Manasseh’s actions were monstrous—he burned his children according to the practices of the Canaanite god, Molech.
07
Aug
The Servant Who Did Not Know God
A series of terrible kings ruled Northern Kingdom of Israel without a break. One evil, rebellious king after another leading God’s people deeper and deeper into rebellion and idolatry. And when we compare Jehu (the 10th King) to the other kings (18 in all) of Israel, we see that he was the best of a bad group. For with all the kings of Israel it was recorded that they all “did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.”
31
Jul
The Quiet Presence of God
In chapter 18, Elijah had just proven himself to be prophet of the Lord, Yahweh. Yahweh reveals Himself in consuming fire in response to Elijah’s prayer. Elijah then kills all 850 prophets of Baal. He then prays for rain and the drought ends. He supernaturally outruns King Ahab’s chariot to get to the royal city of Jezreel.
24
Jul
Seek Good, Unbiased Counsel
In earlier chapters, we read of how Jeroboam fled to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon’s death (1 Kings 11:40). After Solomon’s death, Jeroboam returned from Egypt to appeal to the new King Rehoboam to lighten the yoke that King Solomon has put on them on behalf of the people (1 Kings 12:1-4).
Upon meeting Jeroboam and his group, King Rehoboam approach the elders to discuss Jeroboam’s request on reducing the hard labour the people were going through.
17
Jul
Solomon’s Remarkable Request
Imagine being the newly minted King. King Solomon, was offered as it were, “a wish of a lifetime”. Solomon could have asked for anything, instead he asked for a discerning heart. What would you ask for? And what would that be?
10
Jul
A Clean Heart
To ancient people, the “heart” often referred to one’s inner thoughts and conscience. But today we know that it is the brain that does the cognitive functions that gives rise to emotions. Nevertheless, expressions of emotions are often referred to as matters of the heart, because of the emotions we feel coming from within.
Augustine, one of the early church fathers once quoted:
“One must look deeply into the human heart to see in what direction it is turned, and on what point its gaze is fixed.”
03
Jul
Fear God and Wait for His Perfect Time
Posted by Jerry Teo • Jul 03, 2021
Our Best Thought is a weekly devotional thoughtfully penned by leaders in DUMC arising from the...
26
Jun
Let God Contend for Us
Goliath stood before the Philistines, taunting the Israelites to challenge him. King Saul offered a bargain of riches and his daughter’s hand in marriage to anyone who would defeat the giant. David, just a shepherd boy at that time, took up the challenge.
19
Jun
God’s Will and God’s Way Come Together
As Saul’s story progresses, we can observe that he is never able to own the wrong he has done when it is pointed out to him.
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul was told to wait for Samuel before offering sacrifices to God and initiating a battle with the Philistines. He didn’t listen, however, and bulldozed ahead impatiently. Even though Saul eventually wins the battle, he did it on his own terms instead of God’s, a point that he seems to never grasp.