PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Kings 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him.” (2 Kings 13:4)
How bad do things have to get before God stops helping us?
Jehoahaz, like all the other kings of Israel, did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
And yet, when he gets in trouble and cries out to God, God listens and helps.
Through all the messed up drama of these chapters, God’s grace shines through.
God does not give up on us, even when we give up on God!
No person, no matter how far from God they may be, is beyond God’s grace.
And when they cry out in despair and misery, God is listening and will help.
In fact, God allows us to experience the misery of sin so we come to our senses.
We need to learn, one way or another, that life if unbearable without God.
As Jesus followers, we have experienced the wonder of God’s mercy.
Jesus comes to us to show us how far God will go to help us.
Jesus’ life, death and resurrection demonstrate the full extent of God’s love.
Is there someone you know and love that is far from God, and living recklessly?
Do not give up on them, God is not done with them yet.
PRAYER
Lord, Your response to sinners assures me that no one is beyond Your mercy. As I think of those who are far from You, give me courage to see that there’s always hope for the worst of sinners!
God does not give up – and honours his promises to Abraham: “But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them.” That seems the consistent theme. Just thinking of how a king does evil in God’s sight – yet is at Elisha’s bedside when he dies – and Elisha prophecies victory 3 times. God uses even those that go against him to protect his promises – his people. Personally, it is true – God has not given up on me. God is working thinks out – He has the big picture even for me! Even for his church – even when it disappoints Him! The church is sin infected as am I. But God’s mercy and grace through Jesus is the constant as it was for Judah and Israel.
Once again I see that God is in charge. Rulers come and go as do their acts. As rulers lead so go the people following them. But the Lord continues to send saviours for His people and in Christ we have THE Saviour. Follow Him in order to truly live. He is the Rescuer of His people then and now.
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.