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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(346) 13 December : Proverbs 19v10 / 2 Kings 15-16 / Psalm 78v44-52

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Another mixed group of kings reminding us of the mixed response there has always been to the Lord, from all stratas of society. The question, we are continually asked by the book is what our response will be. Two things to note: First, even those who did right could have done better (15v3-4). Allowing people to continue to offer sacrifices to God at high places, disobeyed his instructions in the law about there being one place of worship, and made the people susceptible to idolatry as the high places were often used to make offerings to false gods. The point for us is that we should not be content with a minimal standard of godliness, but seek continually to remove the high places from our own lives - those areas not yet fully submitted to Jesus. Second, the spiritual state of a family or society can change quite rapidly. Josham did right, but his son followed the most appalling pagan practices of the Canaanites (16v2-4). We must not be complacent about the need to raise our children in the faith, and we must pray for the conversion of our leaders. As you read note the disorder in both the nothern and southern kingdoms.
2 Kings 15-16

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.