It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts. Robert H Schuller

 

Looking Beyond The Fence

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.
1 Kings 21:17-20
Ahab, the king of Israel, was wealthy and owned many properties, yet he desired more and wanted to purchase Naboth’s vineyard which was next to his palace. He wanted the property to grow vegetables but Naboth refused to sell it to the king because he valued the land that he had received as an inheritance from his forefathers.

 

Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, found the king sulking in the palace, refusing to eat for want of this piece of land. So Jezebel devised a plan to bring false witnesses against Naboth, who was stoned to death and the coveted land passed to Ahab. Jezebel usurped and misused her authority to forcefully take what she wanted and achieve her heart’s desire.

 

We need to be mindful that we are not deceived by the spirit of Jezebel that is still at work today, causing false allegations to be made and bringing destruction to the victims. Manipulation, envy, jealousy and covetousness can poison our hearts and lead us away from the purposes of God.

 

So let us ask the Lord, by His grace and mercy, to make our hearts and motives pure before Him. Let us not succumb to the lure of worldly power and success, trying to win the favour of men, but let us humble ourselves before one another and before the Lord, our Maker.
Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day. By Your blood, may my heart be cleaned, so that my motives and my attitudes will be pleasing unto You. Amen.

God bless you.
Your obedient servants in Christ,
Theo & Manju