1 Kings – Chapter 4

Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty. 1 Kings 4:28 – One can’t read this chapter without seeing the grandeur of Solomon’s kingdom during this time period. The borders of his land reached further than ever before, there was real peace throughout his entire kingdom, 40,000 stalls for horses, and enough daily food provisions to feed thousands of servants in his palace. One way we see all this grandeur happen was that each person fulfilled his assigned duty. The governors brought their food to the king in their allotted month, the horsemen did their horsemen duties, and the officials did their official duties. As our passage above says, each did according to his duty. This was how it was in the kingdom of Solomon, can that be said of the kingdom of Jesus? Is each follower of His doing according to their duty? We see and admire the grandeur of Solomon’s kingdom, but we must remember it was so grand because of God’s blessing and those under his reign continually fulfilled their specific roles. As people in God’s kingdom, recognize we too have roles to carry out. We are to serve, we are to teach, we are to share the Gospel, and we are to glorify the Lord. Scripture speaks of many ways that we are to serve the Lord, and the mission He has called us to is accomplished by the church acting according to their duty. So today, fulfill your God-given duty. Love people like God has called you to. Worship God like He has called you to. Share the Gospel like God has called you to. Each according to his duty…Let’s help this world see how grand God’s kingdom is. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3047

1 Kings 4 Daily DEVO And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom. 1 Kings 4:34 – People were in awe at what God had done in and through Solomon. People would be in awe at what God has done in you and through you as well. What’s the difference though between us and Solomon? Why aren’t people looking in awe at us now? Because Solomon had his gifts on display and was using them to complete the mission God called him to. Is that what you’re doing? Maybe the reason people aren’t in awe at your gifts is because they aren’t seeing them displayed. Today though can change that. Let what God has done in you be seen on the outside. God has forgiven your messy past, then make sure someone knows you forgive them. Or God places His joy inside of you, actually let it come out. Let people see the work God has done on the inside of you. That’s the masterpiece people will awe at. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1005

Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year. 1 Kings 4:7 – Seems like a pretty sweet job. Your whole role is simply make sure the king is taken care of for one month out of the year. Seems easy…until you read the rest of the chapter as see the level of grandeur the king lived in. You may be showing up just for one month, but the whole rest of the year you’re preparing for that time to shine. Know this, it’s tempting to see our life as a disciple like we first did this job as an official for the king. A sweet gig where we just show up once a week and then the rest of the time we can do what we want. Yet if the official handled his role that way, he wouldn’t have been ready for the king. If we handle our role as a follower of Jesus like this, we won’t be ready for Jesus. Our life with God needs to be more than Sunday morning. Yes, be present at church, but be present throughout the week preparing yourself. Pray, read scripture, serve your community, gather with other believes, seek out opportunities to share the Gospel. Know while these officials maybe only saw one month a year of in front of the king, they carried that title as official everyday of the year living as the title the king gave them. If then you’ve accepted the salvation of Jesus, you are a follower of Jesus. Be sure to carry that title with you and live as such more than just when you’re in a pew. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2188