2 KINGS 13-15

Click on the above Scripture to read today's text!

Things are starting to wind down for the nations of Israel and Judah. While Israel's kings continue to "do evil in the sight of the Lord", Judah has at least 3 successive kings that do "what's pleasing in the Lord's sight." Once we get a little further into the book of 2 Kings and into 1 and 2 Chronicles, you'll see how quickly the nation of Israel whittles down to nothing until it becomes enslaves by Persia and eventually Babylon. Judah, however, receives a little less stress due to the fact that their kings are following the Lord's advice and will. However, it time they too will become enslaved.

Here are a few things to learn out of today's bible reading...

1) God blesses us in spite of ourselves! Although Israel had pretty much abandoned God, God still was willing to raise up a man by the name of Jeroboam II to save Israel from the continuous attacks of the Aramean army. The reason "why" God did this merciful act is what's important here! In 14:26-27, the bible says, "For the Lord saw the bitter suffering of everyone in Israel, and that there was no one in Israel, slave or free, to help them. And because the Lord had not said he would blot out he name of Israel completely, he used Jeroboam II...to save them." Even though this man "did evil in the sight of the Lord," God felt compassion on His people and moved in a gracious act of mercy to save them...even though there wasn't one righteously capable man or woman (whether bond or free) for Him to use. Out of compassion for His own people, God uses a wicked man to help them! What a compassionate God we have!

2) What important words could be said about your life? As we move through the chapters today, we see one king after another being mentioned, but there isn't any great accomplishment worth mentioning...other than the fact that they were evil in God's sight. Even of the three righteous kings of Judah, there's not much that God wants to discuss here!

If you were mentioned in the Bible, what would He say He has accomplished through you? Don't let life pass you by without understanding your purpose for His creating you! And don't let life pass you by without attempting to allow God to use you in ways beyond your comfort zone! When He moves us beyond our comfort zone, we have to rely completely on Him...and He loves that!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!