Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12, Psalm 26

Jehosheba and Jehoiada had stood in the balance to protect the life of Joash, giving him the opportunity to lead the people of Judah. What would Joash do with the sacrifices these two individuals had made on his behalf and on the behalf of the nation of Judah? He had been given an amazing opportunity to make a difference, but how he chose to use his authority would determine if his influence would draw the nation closer to God or farther away.

JOASH LED THE PEOPLE BACK TO GOD.

Athaliah had made a mess of the Temple during her time of leadership, and Joash desired to get the house of the Lord back to the place it was meant to be. So Joash gathered together the leaders of the church and asked them to begin collecting the annual offerings from the people again so that repairs could be made to the Temple.

So now the king ordered a chest to be made and set outside the gate leading to the Temple of the Lord. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem, telling the people to bring to the Lord the tax that Moses, the servant of God, had required of the Israelites in the wilderness. This pleased all the leaders and the people, and they gladly brought their money and filled the chest with it. – 2 Chronicles 24:8-10

The people were required to give yet they were glad to give. They rejoiced at the prospect of the Temple being restored again, so they willingly brought their portion and placed it in the chest. When no more money could be placed in the chest, the court secretary and an officer of the high priest would empty the chest, bringing it back to the Temple to be filled again by the people. With the money, experts in masonry, carpentry, and metalwork were hired to restore the beauty of the Temple.

The men in charge of the renovation worked hard and made steady progress. They restored the Temple of God according to its original design and strengthened it. When all the repairs were finished, they brought the remaining money to the king and Jehoiada. It was used to make various articles for the Temple of the Lord—articles for worship services and for burnt offerings, including ladles and other articles made of gold and silver. And the burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest. – 2 Chronicles 24:13-14

Even though Jehoiada was a priest, he was buried among the kings when he died. The impact of his life on the people of Judah was great, and his influence on King Joash kept the young leader spiritually grounded. But without his mentor by his side, Joash wavered from all he had learned and allowed himself to be persuaded by the leaders of Judah to abandon the worship of God.

JOASH LED THE PEOPLE BACK INTO IDOLATRY.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!” Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple. That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “May the Lord see what they are doing and avenge my death!” – 2 Chronicles 24:20-22

As I was studying this passage, I asked God how this moment in history could be used to draw us closer to Him. I found myself asking what circumstances in my life could draw me away from God. Is there any person that I depend on so much for my spiritual growth that I would walk away from God if they were no longer in my life? Would I allow the absence or failure of another Christian to cause me to doubt my own faith? Are my eyes so focused on people that I have taken my eyes off of God? Do I base my relationship with God on my relationship with the church? Is there anything in my life that’s absence would cause me to abandon my faith and stop trusting God? May this psalm of David be my song:

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O Lord,
singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your wonders.
I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord. – Psalm 26:1-12

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 22-23, 2 Kings 11

After King Ahaziah of Judah was killed by Jehu, his mother decided it was her turn to take the throne. But in order for her to successfully step into leadership, she had to kill those who were rightful heirs of the crown.

When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of Judah’s royal family. But Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land. – 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

JEHOSHEBA FOUND COURAGE TO PROTECT THE CHILD.

After seven years of this self-proclaimed authority, the priest Jehoiada decided to take action against Athaliah. He summoned all of his courage and gathered together five of the commanders over Judah’s army. They secretly traveled throughout Judah building support from the people to move Joash to his rightful place as king. He assigned the Levites to various roles, choosing a group of them to surround the young king.

You Levites, form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to enter the Temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes.” – 2 Chronicles 23:7

What a sight it must have been as the Levites arrived and took their place in the Temple of God. The army commanders stood with spears and shields, ready to protect the young king. The Levites formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar (23:10b). Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and placed a crown on his head, anointing him as king. And the people celebrated shouting, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah arrived, she was seized and led away from the Temple to be put to death.

JEHOIADA FOUND COURAGE TO PROTECT THE CHILD.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. And all the people went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Jehoiada now put the priests and Levites in charge of the Temple of the Lord, following all the directions given by David. He also commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and to sing and rejoice as David had instructed. He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s Temple to keep out those who for any reason were ceremonially unclean.

Then the commanders, nobles, rulers, and all the people of the land escorted the king from the Temple of the Lord. They went through the upper gate and into the palace, and they seated the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed. – 2 Chronicles 23:16-21

THEIR COURAGE PROVIDE PROTECTION AND IGNITED A REVIVAL ACROSS THE WHOLE NATION.

The courage of both Jehosheba and Jehoiada made a difference for everyone, rewriting the history of Judah. Joash was given the chance to live because Jehosheba was willing to put her own life at risk in order to save his. Joash was given the opportunity to lead because Jehoiada was willing to stand up and encourage others to join him for the sake of driving change. An entire nation experienced revival because so many leaders joined Jehoiada in his crusade to bring back the worship of God to the Temple of God.

God, we ask for you to give us the courage to do whatever you have called us to do. Give us wisdom to know what wrongs need righted, and give us the favor to build teams for the sake of bringing others back to you. May you be glorified through our efforts to proclaim your truth, and may our hearts consistently reflect both your mercy and your grace. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 9-10; Psalm 78

Have you ever known someone you would quickly describe as fickle? Do you have a friend, coworker or family member who is quick to change their loyalty or affection? It is difficult to keep up with our fickle friends. They speak and live one way today, but tomorrow they seem like a completely different person wanting different things out of life than they did yesterday.

GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE A HISTORY OF BEING INCONSISTENT AND DISLOYAL.

Today’s passage of scripture reveals the fickle hearts of God’s people. They would worship God for a time and everything would go well. But time and time again, they would go back to their selfish, evil ways. They would turn their hearts to God but not wholeheartedly. They would keep things in their life that would cause them to be distracted and disloyal. This pattern led to the eventual decline and exile of the people of Israel, as well as the destruction of Jerusalem.

Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint Jehu the next king of Israel. The call God had on Jehu’s life was to destroy the family of Ahab. But when he found King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah together, he killed them both. Jehu accomplished what God had commanded him to do, also destroying every trace of Baal worship from Israel except the gold calves at Bethel and Dan.

Jehu did a good thing and the impact of his righteousness made a difference in both Israel and Judah. But Jehu, too, showed himself to have a fickle heart; his faithfulness did not last. At first, Jehu was faithful to the call God had placed on his life, but his heart proved to be as fickle as the rest of the Israelites.

Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with ALL his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. – 2 Kings 10:31

God had anointed Jehu for a special purpose, choosing him from among all of the Israelites. Jehu enjoyed the power but he never fully submitted his life to the One who had called him. Just like generation after generation of God’s people, Jehu’s loyalties were fickle.

IT’S TIME TO DO A HEART CHECK.

Why is it that our hearts are so easily turned away from God after all that He has done for us? What a great opportunity this morning to do our own heart check — to allow the Spirit to reveal any inconsistencies in our lives. In what areas of my life am I struggling to fully trust God? Have I been testing the Lord’s patience?

For he divided the sea and led them through, making the water stand up like walls!
In the daytime he led them by a cloud, and all night by a pillar of fire.
He split open rocks in the wilderness to give them water, as from a gushing spring.
He made streams pour from the rock, making the waters flow down like a river.
Yet they kept sinning against him,…
Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him…
Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer.
But all they gave him was lip service; they lied to him with their tongues.
Their hearts were not loyal to him.
They did not keep his covenant.
Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all…
Again and again they tested God’s patience… – Psalm 78:13-17a,32b-41a

MAY OUR HEARTS REMAIN LOYAL TO THE GOD WHO HAS PROVIDED FOR US OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

Lord, help me to fully trust in you. May my life be marked with consistency and integrity as I walk with eyes focused on you. I want to be fully available for whatever you have for me today, and I want my faithfulness to last through every tomorrow. Thank you for your mercy and patience as I daily learn from your scriptures. I am so grateful for the way you consistently provide your presence and protection in my life. I love you with my whole heart! Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 8; Psalm 145

Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the Lord has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.” So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for seven years. – 2 Kings 8:1-2

GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS GOOD.

After seven years, the woman and her son returned from the land of the Philistines. The famine was over, just as Elisha had said it would be. She went to the king to ask about getting her house and land back. Right before she had arrived, the king had asked Elisha’s servant to tell him some stories about the great things he had seen Elisha do. Just as Gehazi had finished the story about Elisha bringing the widow’s son back to life, the mother and her boy walked in.

“Look, my lord the king!” Gehazi exclaimed. “Here is the woman now, and this is her son—the very one Elisha brought back to life!”

“Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence. – 2 Kings 8:1-6

AND SHE TOLD HIM THE STORY.

God had done something wonderful for this woman, and she was willing to use that story for God’s purposes. She was willing to retell her story of how her son had been dead, but now he was alive and standing beside her. The woman was grateful for the miracle she had witnessed firsthand, but it was not just her story to tell — she realized that the story of God raising her son from the dead fit into God’s story.

What has God done for you? How does your story fit into His? Perhaps there is someone who needs to hear your story in order to trust God with their own.

EVERYTHING SHE HAD LOST WAS RESTORED TO HER.

Sometimes our story is like this woman’s — a story of God performing a miracle of healing for ourselves or for someone we love. But sometimes our story holds memories of regret and pain. It can be difficult to share the difference God has made in your life when it reveals a moment that holds shame or embarrassment. Perhaps God wants to restore what you have lost by using your story to help others.

I am grateful this morning that we serve a God who is willing to redeem our story for His purposes. Father God, I give you permission to use me in the lives of others today. Give me eyes to see the opportunities you will place before me, trusting in you to restore what I have lost. Redeem my story for your glory, I pray. Amen.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does. – Psalm 145:4-13

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 6:24 – 7:20, Psalm 102

Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and besieged Samaria. As a result, there was a great famine in the city. The siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty pieces of silver, and a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of silver. – 2 Kings 6:24

Times were just about as hard as they get for those in the city. They were surrounded by their enemy, with no way to leave the fortified city to get more food. They cried out to the king of Israel for help, but there was nothing he could do. The people were in desperate situations — desperate enough to eat their own children (6:26-29).

When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin. – 2 Kings 6:30

The king’s grief turned to anger, as grief often does, and he directed all of his frustrations towards Elisha. He sent one of his men to Elisha’s house to cut off his head, but Elisha would not open the door. So the king went himself.

And the king said, “All this misery is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” – 2 Kings 6:30b

SOMETIMES LEADERSHIP IS HARD.

There are seasons of life when circumstances are almost unbearable and it takes its toll on our leaders. There are seasons of life when there is nothing anyone can do to relieve our pain or rescue us from our circumstances, and we find ourselves blaming God. We get impatient and tired of waiting on God to heal, save, or comfort us. But if we can just hang onto our faith a little longer, we will see God move on our behalf. No matter how difficult things get, we must keep asking God to strengthen our faith in Him.

Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.”

The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!”

But Elisha replied, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” – 2 Kings 7:1-2

Four men with leprosy who had been sitting at the entrance of the city gates decided to take their chances and surrender to the Aramean army. At twilight they started walking towards the enemy camp, but when they got there it was empty. The enemy was nowhere to be found, for the Lord had caused the army to hear “the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching.” In their panic, they had left all of their supplies and animals, and they had run for their lives.

The four lepers feasted, loaded their arms with the treasures they had found, and traveled back uphill to the city of Samaria to share the good news. The gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace, but the king was skeptical. The news seemed too good to be true. He proceeded with caution, sending scouts to verify what the four men had reported. When they came back with good news, the people of Samaria rushed down to the camp, escaping the city that had become a prison for them. They were finally FREE! The officer who had failed to believe that God could do something as big as what Elisha had foretold was trampled by the people in their desperate rush to find food.

SOMETIMES HOLDING ONTO OUR FAITH IS HARD.

When times get difficult, God wants us to look to Him for rescue; when our circumstances seem impossible to survive, God wants us to trust in Him to be our Savior. God has given us the ability to cling to him during good times and in bad, because faith is a gift from Him. It is not something we have to muster up on our own, it is generously and freely given to us.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:8-10

This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. – 2 Peter 1:1b-2

And this is my prayer for you today. No matter what you are going through, I pray that God will give you more and more grace, that you will experience a supernatural peace, and that your faith in Him will grow as you continue to build on what you know of our God and Savior. May you fully experience FREEDOM in Christ today — freedom from your sinful nature, freedom from your fears and worries, and freedom from the kind of doubt that causes one to walk away from their faith. I pray that each morning you will allow God to create you anew.

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 6:1-23

One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.”

“All right,” he told them, “go ahead.”

“Please come with us,” someone suggested.

“I will,” he said. So he went with them.

When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!”

“Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. “Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it. – 2 Kings 6:1-7

Have you ever heard the saying — He was at the right place at the right time? This seems like that kind of moment. Elisha had no plans to go to the Jordan River, but ended up taking the trip due to a last minute invitation. The goal of the journey was to collect some logs for the new meeting place, but Elisha allowed himself to get sidetracked for the sake of a fellow worker in distress.

WILLING TO BE USED BY GOD WHEREVER, WHENEVER

While on this work trip, Elisha was able to retrieve a borrowed ax head that had fallen into the river. He simply broke a stick and threw it in where the ax head had landed, causing it to float to the surface. A small miracle to some, but huge for the man who would have been unable to replace the ax head (2 Kings 6:1-7).

While at home, Elisha received a visit from Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army. When he was struck with leprosy, Elisha instructed Naaman to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times and Naaman was healed. Through his healing, Naaman came to believe in the one true God (2 Kings 5:1-15).

When pursued by the enemy, Elisha was able to save the Israelite army from ambush time and time again by revealing where the Aramean army was waiting to attack them. When the king of Aram sent his troops to seize Elisha, he was able to speak the word and the entire Aramean army was blinded. At the same time, he was able to speak the word and allow his servant to see the heavenly troops and chariots of fire surrounding them to protect them from their enemy (2 Kings 6:8-18).

AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

Just like Elisha allowed God to use him when strategically positioned for spiritual opportunities, God showed up for the Israelites time and time again. In the same way, He continues to show up for us over and over again. He is consistently at the right place at the right time.

As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. – 2 Kings 6:18

Father God, thank you for the many ways in which you answer our prayers. Thank you for your faithful presence when we need you the most. We are grateful for this morning’s reminder that you are always ready to help us, and that you have a plan to strategically position us in the lives of others. Lord, we want to be available to be used by you — wherever, whenever.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” – Acts 20:22-24

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 21, Psalm 90

Jehoram’s brothers—the other sons of Jehoshaphat—were Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items, and also some of Judah’s fortified towns. However, he designated Jehoram as the next king because he was the oldest. But when Jehoram had become solidly established as king, he killed all his brothers and some of the other leaders of Judah. – 2 Chronicles 21:2-4

It was Jewish tradition that the oldest son would become the father’s successor, so Jehoram was naturally named as king. But having silver, gold, authority, and honor was not enough for Jehoram. He wanted to do what he wanted to do, so he killed his brothers. There was potential for Jehoram’s brothers to complicate his life and get in the way of his plans. Therefore, because it was within his rights as king to kill his brothers, that is what he did.

HE EXERCISED HIS RIGHT TO END THE LIFE OF ANOTHER PERSON SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY OF WHAT HE WANTED TO DO WITH HIS LIFE.

Jehoram had the choice to follow in his father’s footsteps and lead the people of Judah in the worship of the one true God, or he could follow the ways of his father-in-law. You see, the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab had led to Jehoram marrying one of Ahab’s daughters. The young king was influenced by his wife and did what was evil in the Lord’s sight (21:6). He built pagan shrines and led the people of Judah in the worship of pagan gods, influencing them to stray away from their God (21:11).

While Jehoram was exercising his rights as king, God was exercising His authority as the Supreme Almighty God. Jehoram could choose to live his life however he wanted to because he had free will, but there would be consequences to his sinful ways. He knew what God required of His people, but he blatantly chose a different way. The outcome of the life he had chosen was painful and led to an excruciating death.

JUST BECAUSE HE HAD THE LEGAL RIGHT TO STOP THE BEATING HEART OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING DID NOT MEAN HE HAD THE SPIRITUAL RIGHT.

The Lord caused the Philistines and Arabs to attack Judah and its king. They looted the royal palace, carrying away everything that was valuable, including Jehoram’s sons and his wives. The only son left behind was the youngest son, Ahaziah.

After all this, the Lord struck Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease. The disease grew worse and worse, and at the end of two years it caused his bowels to come out, and he died in agony. His people did not build a great funeral fire to honor him as they had done for his ancestors. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. No one was sorry when he died. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the royal cemetery. – 2 Chronicles 21:18-20

Jehoram had the opportunity to do great things for God, but he desired to do great things for himself. Jehoram had the choice to live for the glory of God, but instead he lived to bring glory to himself. Jehoram took the gift of freewill and made a mess out of his life, and he influenced the whole nation of Judah to abandon the One who had so faithfully provided for them generation after generation. And his whole life can be summed up in these words:

NO ONE WAS SORRY WHEN HE DIED.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. — Psalm 1:1-6

Father God, help me to see beyond what I want to do today to see what you want to do with my life. Take this selfish heart and give me a heart that beats in unison with yours. Teach me the many ways you are calling me to respect life and submit to your ways, so that you can be glorified in all that I say or do. Watch over my path and help me to grow stronger in my faith so that I can bear fruit for you in every season. As a society, help us to look beyond what we have been given the legal right to do in order to clearly see what we have and have not been given the spiritual right to do. Amen.

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
Replace the evil years with good.
Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory.
And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! – Psalm 90:14-17

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 5, Psalm 51

The king of Aram had great admiration for the commander of his army, Naaman, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But although Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. – 2 Kings 5:1

Even though God was doing great things through Naaman, even though Naaman was a mighty warrior, there was still something in his life that he was suffering with — something he needed God to heal in order to be whole. The king of Aram sent Naaman to the king of Israel with gifts, asking for him to heal Naaman. Elisha sent a message to bring the warrior to him. When Naaman and his entourage showed up at the door, Elisha sent a messenger out to Naaman: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy” (2 Kings 5:10).

HOW DO WE REACT WHEN GOD TELLS US TO DO SOMETHING WE DO NOT WANT TO DO?

But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers in Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. – 2 Kings 5:11-12

ARE THERE TIMES WHEN OUR PRIDE GETS IN THE WAY OF FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS?

Naaman’s officers reasoned with him and convinced Naaman to go down to the muddy waters of the Jordan River. He dipped himself seven times, just as the man of God had instructed him. His skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child and he was healed! (2 Kings 5:13-14)

WHAT IS MY RESPONSE WHEN GOD ANSWERS IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN I THOUGHT HE WOULD?

This story is a great reminder of our own stubborn behavior. We want God to heal us or to make us whole but we have a preconceived idea of how He should do that. What God desires is obedience and complete surrender to whatever He tells us to do — for physical healing or spiritual cleansing.

HOW OFTEN DO OUR PRECONCEIVED IDEAS GET IN THE WAY OF OUR OBEDIENCE?

Let’s dip into the words of King David as he asked God to cleanse him from his unrighteousness after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Let’s allow Psalm 51 to wash over us in complete surrender to the God who heals and makes us whole again. Perhaps God is doing mighty things in your life and through your life, but you need Him to remind you today that you have been forgiven and He has washed you clean. Let’s dip seven times in the river of God.

Dip #1: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Dip #2: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

Dip #3: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Against you and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Dip #4: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Oh give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

Dip #5: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Dip #6: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

Dip #7: Create in me a clean heart, O God. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repent heart, O God.

“Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. – 2 Kings 5:19

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:12-14

Today we are celebrating the freedom we are experiencing in the United States of America because of the sacrifice of those who gave their lives on and off the battlefield. How fitting that our journey through the Old Testament would take us to a passage that celebrates the freedom we experience when we allow God to cleanse and purify us from our sin. Because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for our sins, we can experience freedom from the old ways of our sinful nature, allowing God to restore to us the joy of our salvation!

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Blot out the stains of my sins and be glorified by your righteousness at work in my life! Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:31-37

Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors. – 2 Chronicles 20:32-33

Jehoshaphat had seasons of leading the people of Judah in the worship of the Lord Almighty, but he remained soft in areas that God had clearly defined as sin. He was permissive in allowing the people to do what they wanted to do — to worship false gods. And since the king was not fully obedient to God’s instructions, the people never fully devoted themselves to God. The weakness of his stance against sin left the door open for God’s people to focus their lives on what THEY wanted to do rather than on how God required them to live, and soon he, too, was pursuing a life apart from God’s plan.

WEAKENING OUR STANCE AGAINST SIN CAN LEAD TO THE PURSUIT OF A LIFE APART FROM GOD.

Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea. – 2 Chronicles 20:35-37

He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed. He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted. — Job 5:12-13

Stepping outside of God’s plan is never a good idea; living to please ourselves instead of pleasing God is defiance. We serve a God of mercy, but that does not mean He is permissive; we serve a God of grace, but that is not the same as tolerance. We may desire to be a merciful people to those who are living in sin, but we can show God’s mercy without redefining what is right and what is wrong.

TO REDEFINE SIN IS NOT MERCY; TO WEAKEN OUR STANCE IS NOT COMPASSION.

Mercy is defined as compassion and forgiveness, but it should not lead to the acceptance of a view that is contrary to what is biblical. We can have pity on those who are hurting without celebrating their sin. In love, we should guide others onto the path God has for them; in love, we should encourage others to fully surrender themselves to God.

We serve a good God! He loves us and wants what is best for us. He is a righteous God and He clothes us in His righteousness for our own happiness and for His glory. The boundaries He has created are for our own benefit and evidence of His unfailing love for us. His mercy rescues us from our sin; it does not create an allowance for sin.

How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!…
What can I offer the Lord
for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the Lord
in the presence of all his people. – Psalm 116:5,12-14

Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. – Psalm 119:156

People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. – Proverbs 28:13

Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:6-9

Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. – Psalm 33:3-5

GOD’S MERCY RESCUES US FROM OUR SIN; IT DOES NOT CREATE AN ALLOWANCE FOR SIN.

Lord, give us a heart that reflects your heart. Teach us what it means to be merciful. Give us the courage to speak truth without becoming judgemental; give us a heart of compassion that seeks to draw others towards you. May your unfailing love be reflected in the way we treat others. Give us ears that are willing to listen to the lost, eyes that see opportunities to serve you by serving others, and wisdom to always speak truth in love.

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, Psalm 58

Everything was going well for King Jehoshaphat and the people of Israel until the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on them. When Jehoshaphat found out that a large army was marching towards them, he was terrified. He knew that they needed God’s protection in order to survive this battle, and he knew he needed God’s guidance in order to lead his people through this difficult time. He called on the people to fast and seek the Lord’s help, and that is what they did. As the people gathered in front of the Temple, Jehoshaphat led out in prayer.

CALLING ON GOD FOR HELP

“O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:6-9

God had rescued His people over and over again. He was powerful enough to do it before and the people had confidence He could do it again. They knew they could stand in God’s presence, cry out to Him, and be heard. They knew their God would rescue them. What a beautiful example of faith in action. God’s people knew they were powerless against the strength of the army pursuing them. They did not know how to win the battle on their own, but they did know who to look to for help. They gathered together and prayed. The Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jahaziel, giving him a message for the people:

“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” — 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

DO NOT BE AFRAID. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S.

The king’s response to God’s promise was to bow low to the ground and worship God. The people followed his example and did the same. Then the Levites stood and began praising the Lord with loud shouts. The next morning, King Jehoshaphat encouraged God’s people to once again believe in God — to stand firm in their faith. He appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, praising God as they walked toward the valley.

“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” – 2 Chronicles 20:21b

At the exact moment the people began to sing and praise the Lord, God caused their enemy to start fighting each other. When the army of Judah arrived on the battlefield, they found that the battle was already over. There were dead bodies as far as they could see. Not one of their enemies had escaped!

They gathered together the plunder strewn across the battlefield and named that place the Valley of Blessing. God had given them victory over their enemies and they were overflowing with joy. They marched into Jerusalem and headed to the Temple of the Lord. And God gave the people of Judah a season of peace — “rest on every side” (20:30).

YOU WILL NOT EVEN NEED TO FIGHT. TAKE YOUR POSITIONS, THEN STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD’S VICTORY.

In 2022, pregnancy centers across America responded to threats from those upset by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a federal ruling legalizing abortion in 1973. These domestic terrorist groups declared war against every organization that stands for life. They threatened, “If abortion isn’t safe for women, then neither are you.” They vandalized pregnancy centers across the nation, many of which were set on fire. While most of America celebrated this decision, the anger and threats of radical groups intensified.

Pregnancy help organizations across this nation continue to call upon their faith communities to join them in praying for God’s hand of protection against those who desire to shut them down. God’s people are faithful to pray and the Lord has been faithful to respond. We have taken our pro-life positions, stood firm in our calling to help those facing pregnancy decisions, and watched the Lord’s victory over our enemies. And now we are praising God and asking Him for “rest on every side” — our faith is stronger and the need for our services is bigger than ever! We serve a big God and this battle is not ours, it is His!

The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged…
Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” – Psalm 58:10-11