During David’s haircut, we talked about the recent tornadoes. His stylist lives across the road from one of the homes that were destroyed. Her house is brick. She rode the storm out safely in her basement.

A rainbow after the storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Fortify What’s Yours

Rehoboam was king over Judah and Benjamin. He strongly fortified the cities with food, soldiers, and arms. Oil and wine were the medicines they used, 2 Chronicles 11:11-12.

I belong to God. Angels fight for me. I have the armor of God to protect me. He provides me with food and medicine and gives me strength and safety.

But I must manage our resources. When items are on sale, I buy two. I try to eat food up and not waste it.

We care for our home. When something is broken or wears out, we repair or replace it. We fortify our home by not letting it fall into ruin. It belongs to us.

Stay Faithful

Rehoboam was unfaithful to the Lord. King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and captured the fortified cities of Judah, 2 Chronicles 12:1-4.

Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam, “You rejected the Lord, so He will reject you.” (2 Chronicles 12:5.)

The leaders and king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.” (2 Chronicles 12:6.)

The Lord saw that and did not let King Shishak annihilate them. But they became his subjects and he took away their treasures, 2 Chronicles 12:7-11.

There are always consequences for unfaithfulness.

Don’t Fight Against God

Rehoboam died and his son Abijah became king. He was at war with Jeroboam and the Israelite army. He declared, “God is with us as our leader. …don’t fight against the Lord God of your ancestors, for you will not win.” (2 Chronicles 13:12.)

Jeroboam attacked the Judahite army and lost. The Lord struck him down and he died. (2 Chronicles 13:1-20.)

Trust God, Stay Humble

When Asa, Abijah’s son, became king, he did what the Lord his God desired and approved. (2 Chronicles 14:1-2.)

“Asa had a history of trusting God and avoiding idolatry. But…he began to rely on the Syrians for protection. …as a result, …Judah’s peace would end… Asa became angry rather than humble.”

New English Translation Notes on 2 Chronicles 16:7-10

*

Asa was so mad at Hanani the prophet for confronting him, that he put him in jail. (2 Chronicles 16:10.)

God Provides

Elijah, the prophet told King Ahab a famine was coming, 1 Kings 17:1. God provided for Elijah. He told him to hide out in the Kerith Valley near the Jordan. He drank from the stream, and God had ravens bring bread and meat each morning and evening, 1 Kings 17:3-4.

During the food shortages of 2020, God told me to keep a spare. I didn’t stock up on cases of anything. I kept a spare and when I opened it, I bought another spare. I still practice this on items I use the most.

Our food bill went way down when we switched to buying only tea bags and coffee grounds. We drink lots of water. I filter my water, boil it, and keep it in glass pitchers on top of the refrigerator. Any chlorine left from those two processes evaporates. (See Instagram post.)

The Famine Got Worse

The creek dried up. God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath. She was gathering wood to make bread with the last of her flour and oil. Elijah asked her to make him bread first and prophesied. “The jar of flour will not be empty and the jug of oil will not run out until the day the Lord makes it rain.” (1 Kings 17:7-16.)

Last week, I was low on powdered sugar. I made cherry cheesecake and lemon bars for Easter. There was a little leftover to sprinkle on top of the lemon bars. I had enough.

Lagom is the Swedish word for enough – not too much, not too little. God provides enough. (We are to share our abundance.)

God is Our Healer

The widow’s son got sick and died. Elijah prayed for him and the boy’s breath returned to him, 1 Kings 17:17-24.

Don’t Sacrifice Your Family

King Ben Hadad gathered 32 other kings and marched against Samaria. His terms of surrender were to take King Ahab’s wives, sons, silver, and gold.

Ahab didn’t resist him! (1 Kings 20:1-4.)

Why not! Why would he sacrifice his wife and children?

Ben Hadad added he would send servants to search the palace and other houses. They would carry away his valuables, 1 Kings 20:5-6.

Ahab didn’t agree with this term and prepared for battle. He put his valuables before his wives and sons, 1 Kings 20:8-9.

God would not do that! He saw and heard Ben Hadad’s actions. After the battle, the prophet confronted King Ahab for releasing a man God had determined should die, 1 Kings 20:42.

Storms are inevitable but God promises to take care of us despite them.

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