Today’s reading: I Kings 1-2; Luke 22:54-71
So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon. I Kings 2:46b
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62
Human history is filled with foolishness and wickedness, but God rules over all and uses even the wrath of man to praise Him (Psalm 76:10).
Adonijah, yet another spoiled son of David, like his brother Absalom, attempted to grasp the throne of his elderly father. He had significant support from Joab and Abiathar. David acted quickly and successfully to thwart Adonijah and set up Solomon as the new king. Solomon did not immediately put Adonijah to death, but he did put him on probation.
It wasn’t long before Adonijah made his move. He asked permission to marry Abishag, the beautiful Shunnamite woman, who had cared for David on his death bed. Solomon saw where Adonijah was going with that request. He had him executed immediately.
Adonijah’s death led to Joab’s. Within three years, Solomon had cause to execute Shimei for his violation of probation. The result of all this: the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon. God used the evil of people to bring about His purpose for the kingdom.
In a similar way, God used Peter’s denial to contribute, in a small way, to the purpose of salvation through the offering of Jesus Christ on the cross. Perhaps even more importantly, God used Peter’s denial to teach him how great his need for mercy and salvation was. Peter was so sure of himself a few hours earlier (Luke 22:33), but he had to learn the depth of his sin and the greater depth of God’s grace toward him. God again used evil to bring about His good purposes both for Peter and for all His elect people.
Do you despair when confronted by sin in yourself and in the world? Remember that God is wise and sovereign. He will do all that He decrees. He will be glorified even in the evil that goes on day in and day out. His kingdom will be established forever. It will far exceed that of Solomon in every way.
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