DAY 161    Read 1 Kings 17 and 18.

Today's reading:  One of the most dramatic stories in the Bible recounts Elijah's mission to convince apostate Ahab and his people of God's supremacy over Baal.

Memory gem:  "How long halt ye between two opinions?  If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him"  (1 Kings 18:21).

Thought for today:
Poor Elijah!  He had been at high tension for days, and his physical exertion had been extreme.  He had looked death in the face.  For a few hours he had lived in supreme exultation and had won a mighty victory over the opposition of the idolatrous king, priests, and people.  Now came the reaction.

The weary prophet lay down under a desert juniper tree and wanted to die--he even prayed to die.  It is good that God does not always give us what we ask.  Elijah thought that his work was done and there was nothing more to live for.  He wanted to die.  But God knew that what he needed was rest, sleep, and food.  And there under the juniper tree Elijah found them at an angel's hand.  How blessed it is that God does not forsake us when we forsake ourselves--when we are tired, sick, blue, discouraged, sitting under the little juniper tree of our own private wilderness.  Instead, he sends His angel of mercy to minister His blessing to us.

Later, in the cave on Horeb, came the word of God, which sustained Elijah through everything.  Out of his black discouragement, he came back into the light of faith and obedience when he heard the divine whisper.  True, all the visible prospects were against him, but God was for him and God's word had come to him.  So he went on to Jezreel and to Jordan and to the chariot of fire.  No, he did not die under the juniper tree as he had prayed to do, nor in the cave, nor by the hand of Jezebel or the prophets of Baal.  He never died at all.  He kept on living; he is living now.

Can you, friend, not draw encouragement from this man of God?  God has a place for you; He has a work for you.  Are you in that place, and are you doing that work?  If not, will you not listen to His Word and look to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation?  Repent and obey His divine Word.  Now is the time.  This is the hour to start.  May God help you to go forward in the way of faith as did Elijah, the man who heard God's whisper.

DAY 160    Read 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 16; 1 Kings 16.

Today's reading:  Conditions in the northern kingdom degenerated from bad to worse, each king adding more evil to the existing apostasy.

Memory gem:  "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him"  (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Thought for today:
"The apostasy introduced during Jeroboam's reign became more and more marked, until finally it resulted in the utter ruin of the kingdom of Israel.  Even before the death of Jeroboam, Ahijah, the aged prophet at Shiloh who many years before had predicted the elevation of Jeroboam to the throne, declared: 'The Lord shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the Lord to anger.  And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.'  1 Kings 14:15, 16.

"Yet the Lord did not give Israel up without first doing all that could be done to lead them back to their allegiance to Him.  Through long, dark years when ruler after ruler stood up in bold defiance of Heaven and led Israel deeper and still deeper into idolatry, God sent message after message to His backslidden people.  Through His prophets He gave them every opportunity to stay the tide of apostasy, and return to Him....Even in the darkest hours, some would remain true to their divine Ruler, and in the midst of idolatry would live blameless in the sight of a holy God.  These faithful ones were numbered among the goodly remnant through whom the eternal purpose of Jehovah was finally to be fulfilled."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 107, 108.

NOTE:  No attempt is made in these brief notes to explain the chronology of various reigns and events.  Many factors concerning Hebrew reckoning must be considered in order to understand precisely the order of events.  For example, "the six and thirtieth year of Asa" (2 Chronicles 16:1) has to be the thirty-sixth year of Judah as a separate kingdom in order for Baasha to provoke war with Asa.

DAY 159    Read 2 Chronicles 13 through 15.

Today's reading has at least one bright spot: the reformation under Asa in Judah.  Even good King Asa, however, became careless later and lapsed into sin.

Memory gem:  "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded"  (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Thought for today:
Do we need a revival of true religion today?  There is no question about the answer.  But will we have the revival we need?  Will it come?  Friends, it will never come until we fulfill the laws of revival.  God will do His part, but not until we do our part.  We will not have a revival until we obey the rules.

For just a moment let us see how the revival came in the days of King Asa.  As we read 2 Chronicles 15, it seems that we are looking at a picture of our day.  It was a time of trouble.  Many had forsaken the worship of God.  Religious education was on the decline.  This is the case with millions today.

Well, what are the rules?  What do we need for a revival?

First: Courage (see verse 7).  It takes courage to break with evil habits and bad associates.

Second: Put away all idols (see verse 8).  What about our idols today? Anything that comes between us and God is an idol; and, judged by that standard, this is an idolatrous age.  This applies especially to idols of the mind, and they must be put away.  Are we willing to give them up?

Next, after courage and putting away idols, we come to the third step toward a revival renewing the altar of the Lord.  That's what King Asa did (see verse 8), and that is what everyone who has ever had a real revival has done.  God's altar must be renewed in our hearts, in our homes, and in our churches.  Do you pray, privately and alone?  Do you have family worship in your home?  Do you take part in public worship?  We must pray if we are to have a revival today.  It will never come without prayer.

What was the result when King Asa obeyed the laws of revival?  The answer is in verse 9.  The people responded and came from all directions to help him when they saw the result of his consecration.  And we are told that the revival caused the people to dedicate themselves and their possessions to the Lord.  Then happiness came to them.

DAY 158    Read 1 Kings 13 and 14.

Today's reading:  The Lord attempts to turn King Jeroboam I from his apostasy--a sin from which the northern kingdom never recovered.

Memory gem:  "He shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin"  (1 Kings 14:16).

Thought for today:
"At the time of the feast at Bethel, the hearts of the Israelites were not fully hardened.  Many were susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord designed that those who were taking rapid steps in apostasy, should be checked in their course before it should be too late.  He sent His messenger to interrupt the idolatrous proceedings, and to reveal to king and people what the outworkings of this apostasy would be.  The rending of the altar was a sign of God's displeasure at the abomination that was being wrought in Israel.

"The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy.  He delights in the rescue of sinners.  'As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.'  Ezekiel 33:11.  By warnings and entreaties He calls the wayward to cease from their evil-doing, and to turn to Him and live."--Prophet and Kings, pp. 102-105.

NOTE:  Rehoboam's son Abidam (Abijah in Chronicles) became the second king of Judah.  Jeroboam's son Abidah died before his father did.

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Difficult or obscure words:
1 Kings 14:3.  "Cracknels"--probably hard, brittle cakes.

DAY 157    Read 2 Chronicles 10 through 12; 1 Kings 12.

Today's reading:  We begin the sad story of Israel's decline from the glory of Solomon to the ignominy of captivity and dispersion.

Memory gem:  "When he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well"  (2 Chronicles 12:12).

Thought for today:
"With the rending of the kingdom early in Rehoboam's reign, the glory of Israel began to depart, never again to be regained in its fullness.  At times during the centuries that followed, the throne of David was occupied by men of moral worth and far-seeing judgment, and under the rulership of these sovereigns the blessings resting upon the men of Judah were extended to the surrounding nations....From time to time mighty prophets arose, to strengthen the hands of the rulers, and to encourage the people to continued faithfulness.  But the seeds of evil already springing up when Rehoboam ascended the throne, were never able to be wholly uprooted; and at times the once-favored people of God were to fall so low as to become a byword among the heathen.

"Yet notwithstanding the perversity of those who leaned toward idolatrous practices, God...would do everything in His power to save the divided kingdom from utter ruin.  And as...His purpose concerning Israel seemed to be utterly thwarted by the devices of men inspired by satanic agencies, He still manifested His beneficent design through the captivity and restoration of the chosen nation."--Prophet and Kings, pp. 96, 97.

NOTE:  It will be impossible to keep the narratives in Kings and Chronicles strictly parallel.  Another difficulty will be the variant spelling of names in the two records and the fact that some kings of Judah had the same names as some kings of Israel.

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Difficult or obscure words:
2 Chronicles 10:11.  "Scorpions"--probably a figure of speech for whips of thongs armed with metal or bone hooks or points.
2 Chronicles 11:18, 20.  "Daughter"--probably: granddaughter.  The Hebrew word can mean a female descendant, even as "son" can mean a male descendant.

DAY 156    Read Ecclesiastes 6 through 12.

Today's reading:  The repentant wise man continues his reminiscences and advice; he ends his appeal with a solemn conclusion.

Memory gem:  "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man"  (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Thought for today:
Solomon's example is at once a warning and an inspiration; for, though he failed in his efforts to find happiness through the devices of this world, through intellect, pleasure, and labor, he did find true true happiness at last.

"He that keepeth the law," wrote Solomon, "happy is he"  (Proverbs 29:18).

He found happiness in obedience to God.  Here is his advice on the subject: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil"  (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).

These are almost the same words that we find in Revelation 22:14: "Blessed [happy] are they that do his commandments."

There is one thing certain: Disobedience to God brings unhappiness.  Everywhere it appears, it brings confusion, suffering, pain, and finally death.  When we break the laws of nature, we suffer for it.  When we break the moral laws of God we suffer for our disobedience.  There is an effect for every cause.

It was God's plan that man should be honest, faithful, reasonable; that he should walk in the ways of God and follow a righteous life.  If he does not do this, he pays for it in disease of body and disease, restlessness, and dissatisfaction of heart.  His conscience troubles him.  He is unhappy.

Do you want to have joy?  Do you want to be happy?  Then believe in God.  Give your heart to Christ and be happy forever.

DAY 155  Read Ecclesiastes 1 through 5.

Today's reading:  Solomon's old age brought repentance and a valiant attempt to warn others against the folly of pursuing pleasure.

Memory gem:  "I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work"  (Ecclesiastes 3:17).

Thought for today:
Solomon sought happiness in riches.  He became the world's richest man.  His fleet brought him shipments of gold, ivory, and precious stones.  It has been said that he erected one building that cost five billion dollars; he was worth millions, at least, in gold. But did this wealth bring him happiness?

He lived in a gold-filled palace, the like of which the world had never seen; possessed tapestries and gems and luxury of the East; constructed beautiful buildings, parks, lakes, fountains, zoological and botanical gardens; founded and built museums to preserve his priceless works of art; and created the great temple which he had built and crowned with gold like a mountain topped with snow, with its golden altar and golden furnishings.  Surely Solomon must have found happiness in it all.

But no, he says:  "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun"  (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

DAY 154    Read 2 Chronicles 9; 1 Kings 10 and 11.

Today's reading:  Solomon's mad pursuit of worldly pleasure plunged the unhappy king into apostasy and sowed the seeds of ruin for his kingdom.

Memory gem:  "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them"  (Psalm 62:10).

Thought for today:
Now just a word about this man Solomon.  He had a desire for happiness as all of us have, and he tried to find it.  The book of Ecclesiastes, which he wrote late in life and after sincere repentance, brings us the story of his search for happiness.  He had opportunities that very few of us have.  He had unlimited money, he had great wisdom, he had supreme authority.  If any man could find happiness in this world, surely he could.

The whole world today is like a mighty procession marching on, seeking happiness but seldom finding it.  At most, the end of the trail is despair and sorrow and disillusion.  Like a boy hunting for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, most human beings are forever seeking and never finding.

Solomon, the wisest man in his generation--possibly the wisest man who ever lived--set himself to search for happiness.  He says: "I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven"  (Ecclesiastes 1:13).

And did he succeed?

There was no science known in his day that he did not understand.  He studied the laws of nations; legends and history became his heritage; the story of the world and the course of mankind were his treasured knowledge.  He gathered together the priceless works of literature.  He acquired a vast knowledge of nature, the flora and fauna of the world.  He knew about botany, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall.

But did this wisdom and knowledge bring him happiness?  He answers: "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrows."  "Behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit"  (Ecclesiastes 1:18, 14).

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Difficult or obscure words:
1 Kings 10:28.  "Linen yarn"--rather: from Kue, an ancient name for Alicia, then under Hittite control.
1 Kings 11:5, 7.  "Milcom"--Molech; also called Malcham (see Zephaniah 1:5); one of the most repulsive aspects of Baal (see Jeremiah 19:6; 32:35).  Children were burned alive as offerings to this deity.
1 Kings 11:40.  "Shishak"--identified as Sheshonk I, a Libyan army commander who established the twenty-second dynasty of Egypt.

DAY 153    Read 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8.

Today's reading:  We resume the record of Solomon's glorious reign.  The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time with a solemn warning, but the king became obsessed with riches and worldly glory.

Memory gem:  "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch"  (Proverbs 11:28).

Thought for today:
Solomon indulged desire and passion; he married for beauty, lust, and political power rather than for love.  He preached much but practiced little.  He dispensed wisdom and embraced folly.

He acquired wealth.  He gathered "silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces"  (Ecclesiastes 2:8).  His wealth was unrivaled.  The ships of his navy returned from each trip with 12 million dollars' worth of the gold of Ophir, as well as silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, with "great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones"  (1 Kings 10:11).  It has been said that when the Queen of Sheba visited him, she left three and a half million dollars in gold alone.  His annual gold revenue was 18 million dollars.  But even this did not satisfy him.  Solomon was trying to settle for a fool's bargain.

Today the Lord Jesus invites you and me to decide for Him, to reject the fool's bargain.  He says, "Come now, and let us reason together"  (Isaiah 1:18).

Being a Christian is a reasonable thing.  Following Jesus in all that we know to be truth is a reasonable thing.  It is foolish to do otherwise.  God wants us to prepare now for eternity.  Will you not include Christ in your plans today?

DAY 152    Read Proverbs 31; Psalm 127; 128; and 144; Ephesians 5:22 through 6:4.

Today's reading:  The book of Proverbs closes with a beautiful eulogy on a happy home.  We include three psalms and a passage from the New Testament.

Memory gem:  "Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity [love] envieth not; charity [love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up"  (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Thought for today:
I shall never forget the motto that hung in our dining room when I was a boy: "Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation."

You see, friends, a present God--present by His Holy Spirit in this world--is a blessing to His people, but a terrible curse and burden to those who reject Him.  We need to live as in the presence of God, remembering the words of Scripture, "Thou God seest me"  (Genesis 16:13).  Neither the darkness nor the night can hide from Him.

Our God is a living God, a present God.  If we will, He will be in our home.  Then, when people enter, they will know that it is a Christian home, for the presence of God is there.  The Bible is on the table, and it is read to the whole family every day.  The voice of prayer is heard there too.  The children who go out from such a home are armored against the sin and trouble that they are bound to meet in this old world.  In the days in which we are living now, there is a great need of a revival of home religion.  Like Obededom, we need the ark in our households.  It would be good if the holy commandments of God were indeed engraved upon our doorposts, if we taught them to our children  when we rise up and when we sit down (see Deuteronomy 6:7).  Every home ought to be a Christian school.

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Difficult or obscure words:
Proverbs 31:1.  "Lemuel"--unknown; maybe Solomon.
Proverbs 31:10.  "Virtuous"--literally: powerful; probably meaning strong character.
Proverbs 31:22.  "Silk"--rather: fine white linen.