1 Kings Bible Sketch

Pray for Wisdom

How do we wrap our head around what is going on and figure out what to do?

Guidelines, schedules, rules, governing strategies, relationships, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, and all the mysteries of life—from conception until death—we wonder about how to handle it all. How do we discover what the will of God is?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 ESV

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil… 1 Kings 3:9a ESV Bible verse sketch doodle.

Wisdom isn’t only knowing facts—it is the ability to apply knowledge in a practical manner that flows from a heart of compassion

In every relationship—personally with God and between individuals in group settings of two or more—what could be more important than to humbly go before God and ask Him to give an understanding mind and the ability to discern between good and evil?

Our enemies are Satan, the sinful world, and our own evil desires. Scripture says they prowl around like a roaring lion and are like a wolf hidden in sheep’s clothing. That means these could sneak up at any time, show up in the least expected places and it is possible we might not even realize they are attacking us, especially if we aren’t spending time in God’s Word. Encountering enemies might happen within:

• our own thoughts
• community
• workplaces
• educational settings
• friendships
• church
• family

Understanding doesn’t come from imagination within ourselves, apart from Christ; it comes from outside of us—only from God who gives it in the Word and Sacraments

Can we get it perfectly? No, we can’t comprehend everything about God. The Good News is that our Heavenly Father, without disappointment or disapproval of us, is pleased we ask Him for discernment and graciously gives us a meek servant heart to see clearly through faith that trusts Jesus. Christ did for us what we cannot do and we can entrust ourselves into His hands when we are afraid.

Resisting temptations and making reasonable decisions is more than using what has been gained through research, books, classrooms or what mom and dad told us. God designed humans with a high degree of complexity. He offers us a Savior and gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide us to accurately discern between good and evil. We are given freedom to either receive or reject Christ.

We should ask God for understanding in everything! We hear His answers by trusting the power of Baptism. God wants all to receive wisdom and make the best of all the faculties He created within us. He provides all we need and wants us to live healthfully.

Scripture

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Prayer

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:9-15 ESV

Counsel

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 ESV

Friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 ESV

Education

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 ESV

Intuition

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 ESV

Brain

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Soul

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, Luke 1:46 ESV

Example

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:17 ESV

Compassion

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 ESV

Observation

Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:6 ESV

Experience

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Job 12:12 ESV

Reason

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

Attitude

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 ESV

Maturity

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 ESV  

Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV

Trials

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Testing

Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food? Job 12:11 ESV

Promise of hope in Christ

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV

Wisdom is all about Jesus revealed in the Bible 

When we think we know-it-all and can’t be wrong, we are only fooling ourselves. When tempted to criticize and condemn other people, we should look in the mirror.

“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b

The only thing that matters is the fear of God—to seek and receive Jesus who saves us from our own foolish ways and makes all things possible.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-17 ESV

Wisdom recognizes we need help. All good things are gifts from God who accomplishes His goals and good purposes for those who love Him. God does not approve of evil, yet He sometimes allows it and can use worldly situations and consequences of sin to draw us to Himself. By faith, we understand this may embody

• bringing us to see our sins, turn away from them, and live in Christ
• experiences of learning the hard way
  
  • from our own mistakes
  • watching others mess up
• acting on Spirit-led motivation to share the Word we have received with all who will listen
  
  • some refuse to listen
  • not everyone who hears will believe
  • when someone hears and believes, this is the work of the Holy Spirit
• asking for help
• forgiving
• waiting
• trusting Jesus
• acknowledging God is in control

Check out these inspiring links…

• Listen or read a sermon: The Good King’s Wisdom
• Watch video overview: The book of 1-2 Kings explained with illustrations
• Listen or read a devotion: The Wisdom of Discernment
• Worship and learn about the false religions of moralism, philosophy, mysticism in contrast to the The Only Way to redemption and life—Christianity—Jesus is full of Grace and Truth.
• Pray for wisdom, then read or listen to the book of Proverbs (31 chapters)

2 Samuel Bible Sketch

Light in dark places changes everything

More powerful than darkness is the Light that delivers from gloom

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.” 2 Samuel 22:29 ESV hand lettering sketch doodle.

Our mighty God is our deliverer and shield

God cares for us so much to offer Holy Light in His Word to expose our darkness and create faith which allows us to 

• honestly see and admit our sinful nature
• constantly work on changing sinful ways
• fight to resist temptation
• know that God’s own Son was born to bear our sins on the cross
• pray and be heard
• take refuge in our Lord above all else
• live joyfully by grace
• have a clear conscience through Baptism into Christ
• care about the welfare of others

Our Creator designed us for perfection, yet—because sin entered the world after the fall—we all lack it. Even faithful people cannot follow His good and loving commands. Coronavirus and other hardships create havoc and doubt.  

Spirit-given faith trusts God’s Word which reveals the one thing we need for our rescue—mercy given through the birth and unjust suffering of our perfectly pure, humble Lord who never did, said, or thought anything wrong, ever. Jesus did the work necessary to save the world from sin, evil, and death—this victory for us is finished. The promise is true. Grace is available for all to receive faith until He returns for His faithful when His glory will be obvious to everyone at the time all will be judged by their faith or absence of faith.

Our gentle Heavenly Father’s sacrificial Love cleanses us from the filthy sin He hates. Christ rose on the third day and ascended to our Heavenly Father where Jesus intercedes on behalf of prayerfully repentant faithful people. Our Creator’s grace flows to us through Christ who completely understands suffering injustice and consequences of sin. He covers

• wrongs we confess
• things of which we are guilty, unaware
• inadequacies
• sins committed against us
• death from COVID-19 and every other cause

All goodness flows through Christ who compassionately heals the wounds and sickness of brokenhearted people. Those adopted by the Holy Spirit receive

• power to discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect
• ability to both receive and give people compassion and grace
• the gift to forgive people just as we receive forgiveness in Christ
• strength to suffer
• patience to wait for joy that follows weeping
• constant growth and development of character
• a healthy heart and soul which trusts the Lord to carry and lead us during difficulties and sorrow
• hope of the glorious heaven prepared for all adopted into faith
• peaceful rest

Two options

1. Receive faith—live truthfully, humbly trusting the transforming Light. 
2. Reject faith—live secretly, remaining arrogantly stuck in darkness.

In Christ, the faithful believer is

• beloved
• holy
• blameless
• pure
• trained for war
• equipped for battle
• strengthened
• great
• guiltless
• delivered from strife
• exalted above the haughty
• delivered from men of violence
• fast, able to leap over a wall
• secure in heights
• protected in a wide open place
• rewarded with eternal life

Be inspired

• Watch an illustrated video
• Listen to a lively discussion
• Hear a tenderhearted sermon
• Read about contempt (opposite of honor and respect) 
• Church Worship and sing to our Marvelous Light
• Bible study …in the darkness of this world, His Light shines all the brighter!

Pray in Jesus’ Name

O Holy Spirit, Light our paths with Your Word. Only in You can we fight against the the darkness of worldly life. Remind us when we fail in thought, word, and deed that Jesus was born to forgive us for slipping. We praise You for the faith You give in Baptism and ask that You draw us to crave Your wisdom in Scripture. How wonderful it is to be sure You are walking with us, picking us up, and mercifully carrying us as You lead us in Truth to receive Your grace. Use our difficult experiences and sufferings to remind us of our connection to the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Comfort and inspire us to recognize opportunities to shine, unconditionally love, and encourage all those around us who haven’t yet heard, are gloomy, or are lost. Amen.

1 Samuel Bible Sketch

Having great love for all people, God guards His faithful

Despite human evil, we can trust that God’s purpose is to oppose the proud and elevate the humble.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.” 1 Samuel 2:9 ESV Bible verse hand lettering sketch.

Arrogance is wickedly blinding. 

Pride and other sin left unchecked may cause

• false confidence in knowledge, good works, charity
• denial or ignorance of one’s own sinfulness
• grudge bearing
• blame-shifting
• unhealthy sense of entitlement
• insensitivity to everyone else’s thoughts, opinions, desires, and needs
• tendency to hurl rude insults
• distortion of truth
• misleading self and others
• tempting people
• refusal to forgive people who’ve genuinely apologized
• inability to receive forgiveness which others desire to offer
• mental, physical, emotional and spiritual harm to self and those near
• death

Scary, right? Can everyone identify guilt of something on this list, to a degree, perhaps if only in thought? Death is inevitable to even seemingly pious men and women.

The ungodly can take comfort in our Rock of Escape. God, to save us from His wrath, gave His Son to be crucified to atone for the sin of the world. In our sinful nature, we receive this by faith.

• God’s Word provides faith in our Savior who, for our redemption, perfectly—without one single sin of His own, but because of our sin—faced all kinds of temptations, pain, suffering, took an unfair penalty of death on the cross, was bodily raised on the third day, ascended to Our Father in heaven, and lives now in the hearts of all who believe this and are baptized. 
• The Holy Spirit works trust to believe we can take refuge in Christ’s victory over sin, death and betrayal and provides encouragement to live as people loved by God.
• Scripture shows us God’s good design for creation and how He wants us to live. The Word doesn’t make us able to live to the perfection of this design; yet, it provides necessary faith which humbles us to admit failures, wrong actions, thoughts, inadequacies and teaches us to do our very best to turn away from repeating these.
• Only Christ delivers us from death. No one one saves themselves or others from the entanglement of idols (putting self, other people, activities and things higher than love for God). Doubt weakens believers who constantly need to reach out for help through
  
  • prayer for strength and wisdom to trust and share the Gospel
  • worship and staying in the Word in a variety of ways
  • nourishment at the Lord’s Table (for now, during corona virus restrictions, we patiently wait and focus on our need to be saved by the body and blood of Christ)
  • safe environments to grow and preserve our faith in the company of caring, respectful Christians
• Brokenhearted, repentant people of faith
  • have certain hope in anticipation of glory to come in the next life
  • find joy in life, even in suffering because it prepares for the future
  • cling to the Lord who, in mercy, understands the needs of all people and provides all good things for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being
  • thankfully, seek to help and forgive others just as Christ helps and forgives them
  • are spared, protected and delivered from sin, evil, and death
  • have patient confidence that God is using for His good purposes, even what Satan intends for evil
  • worship God in light—His power of spirit and truth 

We all face (or will face) troubles in this life. Now, we live in a state of grace until the Last Day when life as we know it ends and each person will be in one of two final and eternal destinations:

1. the faithful have tears wiped away, gloriously at home with Jesus in heaven
2. unbelievers cut off in darkness with Satan, the father of lies, in hell

Check out these video, audio and art files

• Overview: 1 Samuel
• Running Scared? Trust the LORD
• Lord Save Me From My Friends

Pray in the Name of Jesus

Dear Lord, you know my need before I even ask. Guard me in Your forgiveness and keep me in faith. Amen.