RTW June 19
Greater Grace
But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.
2 Kings 13:2
My Takeaways
Something Old
The phrase “led Israel to commit” was written 18 times, each time reflecting the influence of Jeroboam. The longevity of his influence seemed to have no end.
I asked myself the question, “What will the longevity of my influence be?” What will be said of “Wendy, daughter of Bob and Fay?”
“Dear Lord, help me live my life in such way that future generations will be closer to you instead of farther from you.”
Something New
Then Jehoahaz prayed for the LORD’s help and LORD heard his prayer… 2 Kings 13:4a
Even as we do evil in the LORD’s sight:
- He hears and answers our prayers. (2 Kings 13:4)
- He sees our suffering, even when the suffering comes from His own hand as discipline. (2 Kings 13:4)
- He provides our rescue. (2 Kings 13:5)
- He keeps us safe. (2 Kings 13:5)
But they continued to sin. 2 Kings 13:6
Something to Do
Praise Him for His amazing greater grace…
My Takeaways: A short, but rich read
Something Old: 2 Kings 13:21 “Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s Bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!” Now that’s the legacy I want to leave after I am dead and gone; so that even after I am dead, I am still impacting people’s lives!
Something Old: “Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s help, and the Lord heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram was opposing Israel.” 2 Kings 13:4
The Israelites can easily frustrate me. I just want to shout and tell them, “Why don’t you open your eyes! Can’t you see that when you obey God – blessings, when you don’t – judgement.” Why couldn’t they learn from their mistakes? Simply put, they were trapped in their fallen flesh and incapable of overcoming their sinful nature. They were living before Christ. Unlike us they did not have the Holy Spirit living in them. They were doing only what they were naturally meant to do — sin. Any positive changing in those days would have been short-lived because no one back in those days were truly freed by salvation in Christ.The people of the Old Testament really did have an excuse for their repetitious sins. What’s my excuse? I’ve been set free by Christ. I no longer have to be trapped in the cycle of setbacks, for the Spirit of Christ has set me free from the law of sin. This truth does not mean that I won’t struggle with temptation or occasionally give in to it. Though I have a new nature in Christ, I am still trapped in my body of sin. It’s a constant battle, but with God’s help I can win.
Something To Do: Rely on the Holy Spirit to give me strength to overcome. In Christ I have victory!