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
Understanding to grow in
It's 722BC, and the Assyrian empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, shipping its inhabitants into exile in Assyria and replacing them with peoples from elsewhere. The amount of space given to explain the reasons for this mark it's importance. After almost 700 years of God's patience with the people's idolatry and sin, and persistent warning of what it would lead to, his judgment finally comes. Yet his grace is never extinguished. Even the foreigners who replace the Israelites are given a chance to worship him and benefit. But they only do as Israel did. This all explains why the Jews living in the south during the time of Jesus so despised the Samaritans living in north. Samaritans were not pure Hebrews, and of mixed religion. But the point for us, is that God's toleration of our sin (or that of our nation) is not a sign of his being pleased with us, but of his great patience. And in the end, judgment will come, if not in handing us over to sin and its consequences in history (Is 24v4-13, Rom 1v18-32), then certainly at the final judgment. We should not therefore delay our repentance. As you read note exactly what led to this exile.
2 Kings 17
2 Kings 17
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.