She Laughs. She Prays.

Have you ever felt you “Hit the Wall” and realized it wasn’t coming down? What was your reaction? What did you do? When we talk about hitting the wall it’s generally a psychological wall. Something that keeps us from going forward that we can’t quite defeat, because we are at the end of an arduous journey, and psychologically and physically we can’t go on.

If you hit the wall when you are trying to achieve something, you reach a situation where you cannot make any more progress. In endurance sports such as cycling and running, hitting the wall describes a condition caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles, which manifests itself by sudden fatigue and loss of energy.

Hitting the wall begins with defining the wall. Where is your wall and what is your wall?

Real walls are easy to define. They are the things that create barriers. They divide countries. In some circumstances they provide security, keeping the enemy out.

In my mind a wall is often negative, but the definition of a wall is totally positive. “A wall is a structure that defines an area, carries a load, or provides shelter or security.”

So why define them so negatively. Perhaps I think of the walls of prisons that are met to keep people in. I don’t pretend to know anything about the walls here. I don’t know if you feel secure or penned in, or if they provide both perhaps in some ways. Perhaps I think more of the modern idea of “breaking down a wall.” Or “Hitting a wall” and breaking through.

But the Bible has a variety of walls around cities. Think of Jericho. The people of Israel were heading into their promised land, the land that would be their home. What happened when the people of Israel hit this impossible wall?

God said in Joshua 6:1,2 “Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.”

Sometimes we come to walls, whether they are a psychological or physical walls, that God has to bring down. We just can’t do it on our own strength. Let’s examine what happened in Joshua 6:6-8.

So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7 And he ordered the army, “Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.”

" When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the Lord went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So he had the ark of the Lord carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there."

First, I noticed that Joshua got the rules from God and the people followed. So they listened and obeyed—a hard task to learn. But the very most necessary. They obeyed God, but they also obeyed Joshua who was their spiritual leader. Sometimes God puts us in places to learn this, and we just don’t like it. We have to learn to obey him and those he appoints over us.

But the people of Jericho were ready and had figured out this discipline.

Second, the Lord's Ark of the Covenant was carried at beginning of the march around Jericho. The Ark represented the glory of God. Joshua was making sure that the people gave God the glory for the victory.

Third, were they totally silent when they walked around? No, the trumpets were sounding all the way. Sometimes we need some praise and worship to enter us into his glory. When we feel defeated, we need to enter into worshipping God. Consider 2 Chronicles 20:21.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat considered the leadership words of a prophet, consulted the people, and as a result did the following, "Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

When I know I’m heading into a battle, I spend much time in prayer and worship. When I hit the wall, I need the discipline, the restraint, and the sound mind of knowing that resting in God’s way of breaking down the wall matters.

The walls of Jerusalem were destroyed, and the people taken away in slavery, dispersed into other countries. Why? Because the people did the opposite, they didn’t obey the Lord. They didn’t listen to the leaders that followed God. They chose to be disobedient and do things their own way.

In the city of the New Jerusalem, a place described in Revelation, there are walls. (Revelations 21:15-17) The walls of Jerusalem, described as “great and high,” are a symbol of exclusion of all that aren’t prepared to enter the city of God. Though innumerable believers will enjoy its glory, there is the chilling reminder that only the redeemed may enter. Revelations 21:25-27 says, "On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

So, in order to complete the steps of obedience, following God, giving him the glory, seeing the walls come down, breaking through impossible barriers, overcoming the wall when you feel you hit it, begins by being prepared for the walls of the New Jerusalem. You need to ask Jesus to cleanse you, make you pure.

But I also want to remind you that Jesus hit walls, too.

Before Jesus died, he faced the greatest psychological wall of his life. His imminent death on the cross. The hardest wall for him to face was this spiritual battle. How did Jesus handle this wall?

Let’s travel to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Bible says," Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

First, he knew he had hit a wall. Then he acquiesced to the will of God the Father. He said:

1) Take this cup from me.

2) Not my will but thine.

Jesus acquiesces to God’s Will.

So, what are the steps to consider when you hit the wall?

1. Are you right with God? Are you prepared to live within the walls of the New Jerusalem? Are you prepared to know God’s voice when you hear it?

2. Have you listened for his direction whether it comes from God or through another leader? Often it will be both as the leader confirms what God is telling you.

3. Have you gone into this with praise and worship?

4. Have you asked God his will?

5. Then have you obeyed? Even if this means dying to self, dying to your own will.

Our One Year Bibles finally arrived at Bristol Bay Church, Dillingham, AK. We have decided to start on March 17, 2024, which means it will take until next March 17, 2025, to finish reading all the way through. If you asked for a soft cover copy or would like one, please see me on anytime this week or on Sunday. I have about 10 of these. You can also purchase the electronic copy on Christianbook.com The One Year Chronological Bible NLT - eBook: 9781414361628 - Christianbook.com I will have a few journals and notebooks as well in case you want one to keep your answers in to the questions below in a notebook. And/or send them to me and we can stay in contact: pastorval@bristolbay.church

For those who want to read along in your own Bible, I will publish the passages for the week in a special column to check off. I look forward to reading with you. Each week I will also send some study questions to go with your reading if you choose to use them. Reply with questions and answers. I look forward to reading God's Word with you daily.

June 10

I Kings 15:16-17:7

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19

June 11

I Kings 17:8-20:22

June 12

I Kings 20:23-22:9

2 Chronicles 18:1-8

June 13

1 Kings 22:10-53

2 Chronicles 18:9-20:30

June 14

2 Kings 1:1-18

2 Kings 3:1-27

2 Kings 8:16-22

2 Chronicles 20:31-21:7

June 15

2 Kings 2:1-25

2 Kings 4:1 -44

June 16

2 Kings 5:1-8:15

June 10

1) I Kings 15, what is the main difference between King Abijah and King Asa?

2) After reading in I Kings, determine which King reigned the shortest and why?

3) Consider the ways of Elijah in I Kings 17. Read the story below for a modern-day version of a man being raised from the dead.

4) 2 Chronicles 16, did King Asa finish strong? Why or Why not?

5) Look up the meaning of the name Jehoshaphat and how does this relate to his birth?

June 11

1) How does I Kings 17:3 describe Obadiah?

2) In I Kings 18:17, how did Ahab greet Elijah and why? The words "trouble" comes from the idea of stirring the water or making a disturbance.

3) Compare I Kings 18:18 to Proverbs 11:29. What similarities do you notice? What can we learn from this?

June 12

1) What do we learn about how King Ahab is to die?

2) 2 Chronicles 18:1 describes how kings made alliances in the days of Ahab. How did King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat create an alliance?

June 13

1) What does I Kings 22:10 tell us about the group mentality happening as all of Ahab's prophet's set before the Kings prophesying?

2) Read 2 Chronicles 18:9-20:30. What did the prophets do wrong besides wrong information? What did Micaiah do that proved he was a prophet?

June 14

1) Read 2 Kings 1:1-18 and I Kings 18:38. Are there any similarities? Where did the fire come from? Who sent it? Read Job 1:16 and Rev. 13:11-13. Does this change your mind?

2) Read Luke 9:54-56. Consider 2 Kings 1:1-18 in the light of Jesus' Words. Give your thoughts.

2) In 2 Kings 3:1-27, what was the predicament of the King of Moab and why? What was the predicament of the three Kings who joined force?

3) What did Elisha ask for as he prepared to hear from God?

4) In 2 Kings 8:16-22, what cities break from the rule of Judah? What kept Judah from destruction?

5) In 2 Chronicles 20:31-21:7, why did God deal temperately with Jehoram despite his sins?

June 15

1) 2 Kings 2:1-25 is the story of Elisha and Elisha's first miracles. Name the miracles performed by Elijah and Elisha in order in this passage. Keep a list as you read 2 Kings.

2) Who was Gehazi and what did he do?

June 16

1) From the list you have been keeping, place them in categories. Find an internet site that categorizes the miracles and compare this to yours.

2) Describe the incident with Gehazi in 2 Kings 5.

3) Elisha traps the Arameans in 2 Kings 6 tells us a lot about the mercy of God. What did you learn?

June 3

1) This portion contains 30 sayings. Read them and rank them according to your favorite or ones with the most impact- first, second, and third. (This would be a personal choice.)

June 4

1) Some people believe that Song of Solomon was written in his youthful years. Why would they think that? Give a few ideas. The persons described have young actions like running and chasing. They talk with friends about events and seem to be young and full of new love.

2) Consider this comparison between a youthful and older Solomon as a part of the dating of his writing as well. Compare Song of Songs 6:8 to I Kings 11:3. What difference do you notice? In the first statement he had less concubines. In the second he had thousands. What is the timing of the two? One would be his younger self-Song of Songs-and his older self with more concubines. How are the relations with people from other countries described? He seems to take women as a way to keep peace between countries. In I Kings 11, how does this change? God doesn't like his turning to women with other Gods.

3) Song of Songs 2:2, the woman describes Solomon's love as better than wine. What descriptions does this bring to your thought? How could this be applied first to your own current or future marriage? (Personal thoughts to journal as you read)

Song of Songs is considered an allegorical look at the relationship between a Christian and God. How can it be applied to your relationship with God? Although there are many descriptions, my favorite is Songs 2 where I see God setting the banquet table for us. Then he describes the spring of our lives that comes with knowing Christ.

Any other thoughts on how Song of Songs could be allegorical in reference to God? Jewish tradition reads it as an allegory of the relationship between God and Israel. In Christianity, it is read as an allegory of Christ and his bride, the Church. It also reveals how God created human love and marriage as something to be treasured.

4) Song of Solomon 8:6-7 - “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”

These words are from a song Solomon wrote. Can you find a contemporary song from these words? Jesus Culture-You Won't Relent. How does knowing it's a song and hearing something like it in song effect how you feel about what you read? I understand the heart of the writer more intimately and what he was trying to do with Song of Songs.

June 5

1) In I Kings 11, how did Solomon disobey God and how did this effect his reign? He loved foreign wives and made no real division between their gods and the one true God when dealing with adversaries. Hadad the Edomite, Rezon son of Eliada as Solomon’s adversary. Rezon had fled from his master, King Hadadezer of Zobah and had become the leader of a gang of rebels. After David conquered Hadadezer, Rezon and his men fled to Damascus, where he became king. Rezon was Israel’s bitter adversary for the rest of Solomon’s reign, and he made trouble, just as Hadad did. Rezon hated Israel intensely and continued to reign in Aram 2 S

2) Describe the adversaries of Solomon in these verses. (see above)

3) List the first four Kings of Israel.

• Saul
• Ish-Bosheth-The two-year reign of Ish-Bosheth is controversial although recorded in the Hebrew Bible under 2 Samuel 2:10.
• David
• Solomon
• After Solomon comes the divided Kingdom of Judah and Israel.

June 6

1) In Ecclesiastes 1:1 and 1:12, we see the author call himself "the Preacher" or "the Teacher" (depending on the version of the Bible read) and "son of David, King over Israel." In Ecclesiastes 1:16, the author speaks of his great wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 12:9, the author states, "Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. (ESV)" Who do these clues tell you the author is? Explain. Most scholars think that there are enough clues to identify Solomon as the author of Song of Songs. He was the son of David, who reigned King over Israel and was known for his wisdom.

2) What word does the author use to describe life in Ecclesiastes 1:2? What is the meaning of this word? Meaningless-Having no purpose or reason. Some versions use "vanity" which equals meaningless.

3) If Ecclesiastes was the only Bible book available, how would it skew your thoughts on God? What would you think of life with God? It has a lot of connotations questioning how God made us to live our lives. We might think that there is less of a reason for living then God has purposed.

4) Name one verse where God is mentioned. Explain the meaning. Accept the way God does things because he always knows what's best. (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

June 7

1) What does Ecclesiastes 7:11-14 tell you about money, wisdom, and God? Paraphrase. Wisdom and money are both necessities. If you are wise you can use your money to spread your wisdom. If you have to choose between the two, choose wisdom because it will save your life. God gives us everything we have.

2) Is Ecclesiastes 7:17-18 good advice? Why or why not? Yes, but to understand it you have to read verse 17. It says to avoid being foolish or wicked, but fear God instead.

3) "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might," says the Preacher in Ecclesiastes 9:10. Read the surrounding verses and give a more complete explanation of this verse. He explains that you only have until you die to complete your life's goals and purpose.

June 8

1) In Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14, what are some of the sayings and thoughts the author has on youth or youthfulness?

Young people,[a] it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old

2) I Kings 12, Who was Rehoboam and how did he live/reign before God? King Rehoboam was the first king of Judah in the time of the divided kingdom. He died after reigning 17 years. Who was Jeroboam and how did he live/reign before God? He was the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He reigned for 22 years.

3) Compare 2 Chronicles 10-11 to I Kings 12. Note any differences.

Both are about the Division of the Kingdom after the death of Solomon.

Rehoboam fortifies Judah (2 Chronicles)

Rehoboam's Family (2 Chronicles)

Jeroboam Makes Gold Calves (I Kings)

June 9

1) The stories of the prophets in I Kings 13 give insight into listening to God's voice. What do you learn about listening to God's voice? Always obey.

2) King Shishak stole the gold shields from King Rehoboam. I thought it was interesting that Rehoboam did not fight to get them back. Instead, he made new bronze shields. I thought this was interesting, so I looked up the following on King Shishak: Shishak’s Campaign: A Meeting of Archaeology and the Bible? - Biblical Archaeology Society. You might find it interesting too.

3) In 2 Chronicles 12:1-15:19, what King followed the ways of the Lord and what did it bring/satisfy? King Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and there was peace in the land for ten years.

Above all Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

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