(350) 17 December : Proverbs 19v12 / 2 Kings 18-19 / Psalm 78v57-64

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

Proverbs 19:12

Understanding to grow in

The northern kingdom were taken into exile in punishment for turning from the true God. Rather than worship and trust him, they worshipped idols, trusting them and various alliances for protection. Yet at the very time they are exiled, the southern kingdom has a king that couldn't be more different (18v5). Assyria seeks to attack Jerusalem, and their commander speaks in a way that undermines confidence in God, offering what he offered in the Moasic law (18v31-32, see Deut 30v16, 19). But Hezekiah trusts the LORD, appealing to him in prayer. And the LORD proves he is the true God, miraculously delivering Jersualem in a way he could have delivered Samaria if the northern kingdom had only sought him (19v35). The lesson is that the Lord can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"  (Eph 3v20). So we should call on him in our battle with Satan and as we face the trials of life. More than that, we should not be persuaded to turn from that confidence in him. As you read note how the LORD proves himself.
2 Kings 18-19

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.

Psalm 78:57-64

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here