THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 15-17
“This took place because the Israelites sinned against the Lord.” (2 Kings 17:7)
From this writing, we see how the Israelites saw God’s hands behind everything.
God sends leprosy, enemies, lions, exile (2 Kings 15:5,12,37; 17:20,26).
But notice though that it is not always the Lord punishing them.
Azariah and Jotham – who do what was right – were afflicted (leprosy, invaders).
We need to be careful when we assume bad things are God’s punishment.
Jesus explains that a man born blind was not being punished for sin.
“This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
God uses our circumstances to remind us that He is God, that we need Him.
God directs our lives to draw us back to Him (2 Kings 17:13, Acts 17:26-27).
God is not the reason Israel is exile… but He does allow it to happen.
God is not the reason I struggle or get sick… but He does allow it to happen.
Is the message getting through: WE NEED GOD AND CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HIM.
God is not petty or vindictive, God cares so much He won’t let us go our own way.
Jesus shows us how far God will go to draw me back, to help me find LIFE in Him.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, all things happen to show me my dependence on You. Forgive me for blaming You. Help me to see that You are doing whatever it takes to draw me back to God!
The king did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
The king did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Even with the good king the people still worshiped their idols.
I live in His presence.
Daily I am in His presence.
I too nee to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord by Word and deed. Others must be able to see that I belong to the King.
TGIF = Today God Is First as He must be every day. I need to look and see His presence of all what the Lord God has done for me and for His people. My walk this day must be in His SonShine so that the joy of the Lord God is my strength.
Walking and talking with my God – always in His presence.
1 Come into God’s presence singing
“Alleluia,
alleluia,
alleluia.”
2 Come into God’s presence singing
“Jesus is Lord,
Jesus is Lord,
Jesus is Lord.”
3 Praise the Lord together singing
“Worthy the Lamb,
worthy the Lamb,
worthy the Lamb.”
4 Praise the Lord together singing
“Glory to God,
glory to God,
glory to God.”