Daily Devotional

We’ve Been Warned

Scripture 2 Kings 17:13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.”

Observation: How many times does the Lord need to warn us to repent from our evil ways and to follow Him. The next verse tells how the people hardened their hearts and did not obey and paid the penalty. They or we can’t say we weren’t warned. God wants good for us, but we must turn from our evil ways and do what He ask and what He asks is for our own good. He want us to love him even a portion of how He loves us. We are determined however to sin and disobey and as God’s word says there will be punishment for such actions even as a loving father disciplines his children God will discipline us to keep us on the path of righteousness. He wants us with Him forever and we need to be on the path that leads to Him.

Application: God has made it clear what He desires of me and I have no right to do anything but what He wants. To be in His will is to be on the right path to eternal life. I don’t want to just make it into Heaven I want to come in first in this race. Each day I need to run harder doing what my Lord wants of me and to be the man He calls me to be. I want my Lord to be proud to receive me into his Kingdom.

Prayer: My Lord help me run this race and be obedient to all your warnings. May I stay on the path you have for me and not stray. May I not only be disciplined, but guided each day and that I will be holy to you.

Depending on Others Instead of God

Scripture 2 Kings 16:7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me.”

Observation: Instead of going to God in prayer we sometimes look to others to get us out of a jam. Instead of being faithful with the provisions God has given us we might borrow money from someone or in this scripture instead of going to God for guidance the king hired others to fight for him. We are to fellowship with other believers and love them, but God is our provider and father and we need to seek Him. God wants us to come to Him and to trust Him through every situation and when He desires He will put someone in our path to help and as long as we stay close to God He will let us know who.

Application: To trust God in whatever situation I might find myself in. To seek His counsel always and to keep in His word so that I may know what to do in each situation. If things aren’t going my way seek God and be patient to wait on Him, He might have a lesson for me to learn or a new path to take.

Prayer: My Lord I seek your face and ask that you draw close to me. Please guide me this day to do what is from you and that I will honor you with each decision I make. May I always stay on the path and be in your word so that I may know what you desire of your servant.

We Seldom Ever Learn

Scripture 2 Kings 15:9 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.

Observation: All through the book of Kings we notice some kings either follow God and do good or others stray from God and do evil. You would think these kings would look back on history and figure out they need to be following God, because they need His blessings and guidance. But some people don’t want anyone over them not even God and want to do it their way. So many of them did evil in the sight of the Lord almost as if they were daring God to do something about it. God may not have struck them down right then and there, but you know where they are now and are deeply regretting their decisions.

Application: I’m not much better than some of those kings. I want to do things my way and I want to benefit from my actions. That is what is called doing evil. If I don’t put God first and do what He calls me to do that is evil. I need to seek God’s guidance in all that I do and then do it. He has given me His word and He does direct me in the path He want me to take, but it’s still a choice and I need to choose God.

Prayer: My Lord help get me beyond myself and focused on you. I’m here only as a servant and I need to be serving. Humble me before you and may I do good in your eyes. I love you may the way I live my life prove that.

Being an Example for Others

Scripture 2 Kings 14:3 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like his father David; he did everything as his father Joash had done.

Observation: We can set an example for our children and others whether good or bad. Sometimes if we are disliked by others they will do the opposite of what we do and if we are respected people want to emulate us. We need to be a positive role models for others and stay close to our Lord. It’s important not to be a hypocrite and that we do want we say we are going to do and not say one thing and do another. If we follow our God with all of our heart, mind and soul it will show and lead others to Him.

Application: I have been having a difficult time controlling my temper and keeping my mind pure. I always think of things in the most negative way and it is difficult to hide it from others. Today I made it clear that I wasn’t happy with my Sysco delivery and acted like a child in front of them and my employees. I can’t seem to go even a couple of minutes without thinking of something negative and I need to work harder in becoming the loving man God desires of me. I need to keep God closer in my heart so I don’t sin the way I have been. I need and want to be an example for others that will draw them closer to God and not further away.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me please to be a kinder person. Show me how to show your love to others by the way I treat them. May others want to follow the example I set, because it is your example of how to live this life. Give me the discipline to live a godly life in glory and honor to you.

God Listens to Us

Scripture 2 Kings 13:4 So Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.

Observation: When we pray our Lord listens to us and answers our prayer. The Lord also has compassion on us as He saw the way his people suffered and delivered them out of their oppression even though He knew the people would turn from him again. God listens to us, but may not answer our prayers the way we think he should. We need to remember that no is also an answer and we need to trust in him to do what is best for us.

Application: I need to know that God hears me when I pray and I need to know that He will not answer all of my requests and He may take His time in answering. I must also know that no is an answer and to trust him with all of my heart, but never stop talking to Him. I know my Lord listens to me and that He loves me and wants the best for me. I need to know I wasn’t created for this earth, but a heavenly one and this one is getting me ready.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for always being there for me and listening to me, even when I don’t make sense. I thank you for loving me and getting me through this life and I ask that you use me in a way that will please you. Be with me tomorrow as I speak to your children about our new home and your love.

Mentoring Others

Scripture 2 Kings 12:2 Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Observation: It’s easier to follow God with help from others. Here a more learned priest guided the king and the king obeyed his guidance. We that have walked with the Lord longer can help hold others be accountable to help keep them on the path of the Lord. We shouldn’t be stingy with the knowledge and grace God has given us we have it to reach out to others. Jesus has mentored all of us that follow Him and he has told us to go and spread the gospel and by spreading we are to teach his words.

Application: Tomorrow I’m going to be meeting with someone who is suffering from depression. This is my opportunity to mentor him in God’s word while asking God for a healing. God has put so many people in my path and I need to do more than say hi when I pass them by, I need to get involved and help.

Prayer: God give me the wisdom I’ll need to make a difference in others’ lives. I’m here as your servant show me how to assist your other servants. Give me knowledge and courage to approach others and may I not be selfish with this precious time you have given me.

Making a Covenant with God

Scripture 2 Kings 11:17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, that they should be the LORD’S people, and also between the king and the people.

Observation: Before making a covenant with the Lord you must be sure you are going to keep it. It is better not to make a promise at all than to make one and break it. The priest Jehoiada made a covenant with the Lord, king and people, a pack that they shouldn’t break or take lightly and when all parties agree and must be upheld. Here he was saying that from that time on that they will be the Lord’s people and there would not be any other God. Now it was up to the king to enforce this covenant and to make sure it didn’t get broken.

Application: I’m afraid to make a promise to God because I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep it so I don’t. Instead of making a commitment to my Lord and my God I choose to not take any chances. I need to be fully committed to do what God calls me to do I should at least make a covenant that I will follow my Lord all the days of my life. If I don’t make a promise to my Lord it would be too easy for me to not listen, but if I make a covenant with my Lord I will be more focused on keeping that promise and it will be on the front of my heart to do what is right.

Prayer: My Lord I now make a covenant with you my Lord and Master. That you and you alone will rule this life and I will have nothing ahead of you. I’m your servant help me stay close to you and never to stray this life has only one purpose and that is to serve you.