Isaiah 49

 Pausing my life on this chapter. Letting the Lord speak to me. Receiving encouragement directly from Him. Words like this have power and life. "...Because the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you." "For they shall not be put to shame who wait and hope expectantly for Me."  The lesson, the comfort, the hope is all wrapped up in, His presence is with us.  

Naboth's Neighbors

 1 Kings 21 has the story of Naboth, and the King and Queen of Israel.

The King wants Naboth's vineyard, but it belongs to his family and is given by God to his family so he rightly states, "No, thank you."

The King complains and whines and the Queen, sick of his whining takes matters into her hands and sends a letter in his name to the leaders of his town, the town that he lives in, Naboth's neighbors for his whole life and tells them to set him up, lie about him and stone him...and they do it.

I consider them the real villains of this story. Rather than stand up to the King and Queen they "rolled over" and killed their neighbor. 

Naboth was not rescued by God. Elijah the prophet appears and gives the word of the Lord that is later fulfilled to the letter as it always is, the King and Queen do not get away with it, but may God keep us from being like Naboth's neighbors.