I confess there are books of Scripture that I dread reading. I almost want to skip over them and I would imagine for everyday people living in those times, they might have wanted to skip over those events, too. How about today? Are there kingdoms and events the people living in them wish they could skip over?

In 1 Kings 16 we continue the succession of Israel’s kings that pave the way for one of the worst of them. We are also introduced to the city of Samaria, built on the hill of Samaria by Omni, father of Ahab. Omni and Ahab are so bad they are mentioned in the prophesy of Micah. You have observed the statutes of Omni and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their traditions. Therefore I will give you over to ruin and your people to derision; you will bear the scorn of the nations. Micah 6:16.

Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and worshipped and served Baal. In the notes for 18:18: Instead of worshipping the true God, Ahab and his wife Jezebel worshipped Baal, the most popular Canaanite god. Baal idols were often made in the shape of a bull, representing strength and fertility and reflecting lust for power and sexual pleasure. (Interesting the statue of the bull on Wall Street).

In every age people ask why, God. Why do you allow bad things to happen? Do we not think God asks the same question of us? Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha: “I lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins.” v. 1-2.

The kingdoms of men.

What about today’s kingdoms of men?

Matthew 13 is filled with Jesus’s parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. God reminded me this morning that to be with Him is to be in His Kingdom. How? His love whispers to us in quiet moments of awareness…be still…be aware…be present with Him. When we open our hearts to receive His love for us, we find peace. We find meaning. We find hope. Even in the midst of trials and unsettling events in this world brought to us by the kingdoms of men, we know His love and peace.

Kingdoms of men will come and go. Empires will come and go.

Our lives are but a breath but what a gift we have been given! Life! I keep thinking about all of those people throughout all the different ages and each one has life given by our Creator God. He is the One constant that never changes. His Love is the hope for every single one of us. His plans who can fathom? And that’s okay. He is the treasure we long for, the Home our hearts long for, the Peace we sorely need in this world of uncertainty. His Love whispers to you. Will you listen? Follow your heart. Your heart knows its Creator. If you’re unsure how to start, just talk to Him quietly. He listens. He hears. He loves. He redeems.