“Sovereignty, God’s sovereignty, is one of the most difficult things for people of faith to live out in everyday routines….In the midst of the incredible mess these kings are making of God’s purposes, God continues to work his purposes and uses them in the work – doesn’t discard them, doesn’t detour around them; he uses them!” The Message Introduction to 1 and 2 Kings

That was the problem with my routines – they left God out!

Yesterday, I stopped after lunch and asked God for direction. I finished 9 of the 13 items on my “To Do” list.

On top of that, I did several things not written down!

• Listened to the new song we are learning five times.
• Sorted that paper pile in my office.
• Hung green towels with spring towels in the bathroom.
• Hung a green print over the towels.
• Strung green lights and a lighted Shamrock in the front window.
• Switched the Cardinal’s cups for St. Patrick’s Day dishes in the china cabinet.
• Hung “St. Patrick’s Day” Wreath on the front door.
• Hung a Shamrock on the back door.
• Set a green print on the window ledge between the kitchen and front room.
• Moved the kitchen table and vacuumed under it.
• Mended the hem of Valentine’s Day flag.
• Sewed 2 logos on one of Laura’s quilt squares.
• Printed directions to the 2 Frank Lloyd Wright built homes in Oskaloosa, IA.

As we dined on salmon, baked potatoes, and asparagus, I admired the crystal candlesticks on my St. Patrick’s Day runner. (Full disclosure: They were salmon patties. 😉 I baked potatoes to use the remaining three in my centerpiece!) 

I realized my “To Do” list is different from God’s “Today List.” At the end of the day, like Solomon, the burst of activities accomplished amazed me. I am not shrinking back like Adonijah.

1 Kings 1:5, 6, 9, “…Adonijah…puffed himself up saying, ‘I’m the next king!” He made quite a splash,…

(6) His father had spoiled him rotten as a child, never once reprimanding him. Besides that, he was very good-looking and the next in line after Absalom.

(9) “Next Adonijah held a coronation feast,…at the stone of Zoheleth…” The Message

* * * * * * *

“Zoheleth, serpent-stone, means to shrink back or crawl away.”  abarim-publications.com

* * * * * * *

1 Kings 1:33-35, “Then he ordered, ‘Gather my servants, then mount my son Solomon on my royal mule and lead him in procession down to Gihon.

(34) When you get there, Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him King over Israel. Then blow the ram’s horn trumpet and shout, “Long live King Solomon!”

(35) You will accompany him as he enters and takes his place on my throne, succeeding me as king. I have named him ruler over Israel and Judah.’ ” The Message

* * * * * * * *

“Gihon, a river or waterway, means to burst forth. aka the Gusher or Great Breaking Forth.” abarim-publications.com

Adonijah

1. Puffed himself up, 1:5.
2. Declared himself king, 1:5.
3. Made quite a splash, 1:5.
4. Was a spoiled child, 1:6.
5. Undisciplined, 1:6.
6. Relied on his looks, 1:6.
7. And assumed birth order would naturally make him king, 1:6.

Solomon

1. Trusted God. Psalms 110:4, “God gave His word and He won’t take it back!” The Message
2. Did nothing on his own! Psalms 110:1, “…sit alongside me here…” The Message
3. Let his parents, his authority, take care of it. 1 Kings 1:15, “Bathsheba went at once to the king…” The Message

The Result?

Adonijah’s end was like the name of the rock where he partied. Serpent stone – crawl or shrink away!

1. He panicked, 1:50.
2. Everyone abandoned him, 1:49.
3. He feared for his life, 1:50.
4. He fled to the sanctuary, 1:50.
5. He bowed to King Solomon, 1:53.
6. He crawled away home, 1:53.

Meanwhile, Solomon burst forth becoming the King!

1. He mounted the royal mule, 1:33, 38.
2. He led the procession to Gihon, 1:33, 38.
3. The High Priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan, (King David’s pastor), anointed him King, 1:34, 39.
4. The officials blew the ram’s horn trumpet, 1:34, 39.
5. They shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” 1:34, 39.
6. David’s personal bodyguards, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites accompanied him as he took his place on the throne, 1:38, 44, 46.
7. David named him Ruler, 1:35, 43.
8. God confirmed it, 1:36.
9. Everyone joined in the fanfare, 1:40.
10. The band played, 1:40.
11. The people sang, 1:40.
12. The earth reverberated, 1:40.
13. He decided the fate of Adonijah, (his first official act), 1:53.

Psalms 2:2-6, “Earth leaders push for position, demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, 

(3) The God-deniers, the Messiah defiers: ‘Let’s get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!’

(4) Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. 

(5) At first He’s amused at their presumption; then He gets good and angry.

(6) Furiously, He shuts them up. ‘Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet is spread for him on the holy summit.’ ” The Message

God gave me further instruction in my devotional.

“When you stop dreaming you lose direction. When you stop setting goals you stop growing. You must have something you’re pushing toward. As long as your horizon is expanding, you’ll be spiritually and emotionally healthy….And when you ask for God’s presence in your life, you can be sure He’ll answer!”

“God’s Answers to Difficult Questions” by Rick Warren

quoted in The Word for You Today 

My “deep study verses,” (where I look up the cross-references and read the text notes), today were…

Psalms 4:26, 27, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” New International Version

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