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.
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 29:14
Proverbs 29:14
Understanding to grow in
Both today's kings start well only to fall. A lesson to all. For Amaziah, we're told it was because he did not serve the LORD "wholeheartedly.” He punished his father’s murderers which followed the law (25v4), and listened to the prophet who rebuked him for hiring Israelite mercenaries. The prophet explained that “the LORD is not with Israel,” as is well able to offset the financial loss. We are to do right whatever the consequences, and trust God if this brings difficulty. And bad decisions will themselves have repercussions, seen in the disgruntled mercenaries raided Judah. Yet despite this imperfect but commendible start, Amaziah brought back Seir’s gods and worshipped them – provoking God’s anger. It's tragically laughable. He turned from the one who had demonstrated his power over death to gods who had been shown impotent. He then threatened the prophet who challenged him, listened instead to his advisers, challenged the king of Israel, ignored his warning to back down, and so, as judgement from God, was defeated, with Jerusalem and the temple broken and plundered. Once more we see that only a faithful king will establish an enduring kingdom. Uzziah succeeded him and followed suit. We read: “As long as he sought the LORD, God have him success.” So God helped him against numerous enemies, with some bringing tribute, his fame spreading, he himself becoming powerful, organising the defences of his kingdom, and even the tilling of its land. But his pride then led to his downfall, seen particularly in an irreverent attitude to the temple, burning incense as God had instructed only the priests to do, and then raging against the priests when confronted. With great irony, he became leprous meaning he had to be excluded from the temple and from having charge of the kingdom. As you read note the wrong attitudes behind the king's sins.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.