Standing Firm When One of the Few

 1 Kings 13-14     Psalm 26     2 Corinthians 1-2

The stories of conflict in Israel between people and between the prophets, the people and God clearly show the cost of disobeying God. They also show how easy it is to allow yourself to believe the rules don’t apply to you. This also shows that not only are we held accountable as individuals but as a nation.

David proclaims in song that he has walked in integrity before the Lord and put his full trust in the grace of God. He invites the Lord to examine him and test him, both mind and heart. His desire is walk in the ways of the Lord and in God’s truth. His desire is to continually voice his thanksgiving in the sanctuary of the Lord. Because his heart and mind are seeking the ways of the Lord, he experiences the forgiveness and grace of God’s salvation.

Paul encourages the followers of Jesus to see suffering for the cause of Christ to be reason to rejoice because we are then comforted by Jesus. When our beliefs are built on the foundation of the teaching of Jesus, we can trust God to fulfill his word and watch over us. God’s promises are good and will be fulfilled, in his time. The more we know Jesus the easier it is to believe and put our trust in him. We are to share the Word of God and speak of the love of Jesus that the Holy Spirit can move in the people around us.

We are to make sure we don’t allow the people that surround us to overwhelm us with their words and power. We are to put our trust in God and when we follow his commandments, statutes and directions we will be blessed and when we choose not to, we can expect to experience the curses of God as well.