READ 1 Kings 9
The Lord reiterates His promise to bless Israel for faithfulness and to judge her for sin.

INSIGHT
Three things happen when Israel lives in a righteous relationship with the Lord. First,
God is glorified. Second, Israel is blessed—receiving the fullness of life for which she
longs. Third, the unsaved world is drawn to want to know God because of the
magnificent picture they see of Him. Because so much hinges on Israel’s standing
before God, the Lord makes it clear to her how serious her position is. If she will trust
and obey Him, He will bless Israel forever. However, if she lives in sin, He will utterly
destroy her.

PRAYER
Give the Lord praise for His perfect and holy justice and goodness:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving  
And his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.  
For the Lord is good,
And his faithful love endures forever;
His faithfulness, through all generations
(Psalm 100:4-5).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
And I said: My God, I am ashamed
And embarrassed to lift my face toward you,
My God, because our iniquities are higher
Than our heads and our guilt is as high
As the heavens (Ezra 9:6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Blessed be the God and Father
Of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Because of his great mercy  
He has given us new birth  
Into a living hope through the resurrection
Of Jesus Christ from the dead  
And into an inheritance that is imperishable,  
Undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
You are being guarded by God’s power  
Through faith for a salvation that is ready
To be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• A stronger desire to be obedient to God’s commands
• Our nation’s military personnel
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The earth and everything in it,
The world and its inhabitants,
Belong to the Lord;  
For he laid its foundation on the seas
And established it on the rivers  
(Psalm 24:1-2).