“O lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?”
21And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the lord, “O lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22The lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!
24Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the lord truly speaks through you.”

I know God but then I experience things and I believe in his power.

Lord God,
Help me to stop doubting your ability to fix me and release me from the sin I have grown comfortable with.

In Jesus name,
Amen

But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the lord: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. 19So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.
He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the lord says: You have defied the word of the lord and have disobeyed the command the lord your God gave you. 22

There is no compromise in God’s command, be careful not to be lead into sin. Listen only to God’s word and be careful not to listen to what sounds good from man. The young profit listened to the old profit, defied God and God had his wrath on him. I have to be so careful to not be lead astray at any cost.

Lord God, Grant me the discernment to not fall for things that sound good but are not from you.

In Jesus name,
Amen

There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!
May he give us the desire to do his will in everything

Ridiculous worship, I wish to live a life so dedicated to the Lord, God himself will be pleased. And may it spread to those around me.

Lord God, I thank you for giving me a heart that craves your presence. May that craving only grow and push out my sinful nature and replace it with your desire.
In Jesus name,
Amen

7Solomon did not weigh all these things because there were so many; the weight of the bronze could not be measured.

Extravagant. That is the only word I can come up with to describe the temple Solomon built. Why not, it is to worship the Lord. Sometimes I struggle with the money spent to make worship special at my church. Do we really need computer controlled lighting and all those big screens. Well it is for the Lord after all.

Lord God,
Help me to see your glory and to desire to dedicate my best to your worship, in my personal temple, in my belongings, in my actions.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame!
And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

Oh to have the heart of Solomon,

Lord God, Give me a heart that seeks after you to the point I am totally void of my desire and replace it with your desire. Lord it is with in you true life begins.

In Jesus name,
Amen

And may the lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!”
Take courage and be a man.
Didn’t I make you swear by the lord and warn you not to go anywhere else or you would surely die? And you replied, ‘The sentence is fair; I will do as you say.’ 43Then why haven’t you kept your oath to the lord and obeyed my command?”

Blessings were a regular part of communication, respect and blessing was expressed before any request. Out of fear and or respect, it was an attitude carried. I want to make pleasing the Lord and others a part of my attitude.

Lord God,
Please help me to develop an attitude of reverence in my life that is constant with you and others. May I be pleasing to you at all times.
In Jesus name,
Amen

When David saw the angel, he said to the lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.”
“No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the lord my God that have cost me nothing.”

David owned up to his sin and the Lord showed mercy to him. David saw the angle of death and pleaded with the Lord to stop killing the people for he had committed the sin and offered his life as well as his family.

Lord God,
help me to fully accept my weakness and offer my life as a sacrifice to pay for it. Help me to fully surrender and let go of it all for you to destroy. I can’t do it myself.

In Jesus name,
Amen

You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased
May the king put it out of his mind. 20I know how much I sinned.

How often do I focus on the wrong issue and put my full attention there, blocking God’s desire from my heart.

Lord God, purify my heart and protect me from my sinful desires. Help me to put my sinful desires out of my mind and focus my will, all my will on your plan for my life.

In Jesus name,
Amen

“If you think that’s the best plan, I’ll do it,” the king answered.
And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”

David was always willing to change his mind if his advisers gave him a plan he thought was better.

Even thou Absalom stole David’s rule and was after his father David to kill him, David mourned Absalom’s death bitterly.

Lord God,
Give me a heart that is willing to take advice and discern the best path for my life. May I be loyal even when it doesn’t make sense today. May your will and understanding overwhelm my own desires.

In Jesus name,
Amen

But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.
When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. 6Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

How corrupt is our human nature. David shows mercy on Absalom who overthrew David’s reign so David had to run.
How complex is our world even when we pursue God.

Lord God help me to see your truth in this world and give me power to deny satan a foothold in my day.
In Jesus name,
Amen