2 Kings 13 - 2.26.25

Scripture

2 Kings 13:4-6 Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them.

Observation

The book of Kings tells the stories of the kings of Israel who came after David. With few exceptions, they were corrupt and followed other gods, leading the people farther and farther away from the one true God, until the collapse of Israel and the exile of its people.

In the middle of a long line of kings who refused to follow God, Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor and the Lord listened to him. God granted favor. But even then, the people did not turn from their sin and continued on the path to ruin.

Application

We cannot earn God’s love and salvation. He freely gives it, even though we do not deserve it. When we ask, He shows us mercy and grace, forgives our sin, and restores us into relationship with Him. But that does not mean that we should test God. 

We are humans and no human is, or ever will be, perfect. We have all sinned, and even when we come into relationship with God, we will continue to sin. So how do we reconcile that with Jesus' command to go and sin no more? This is a question I continue to wrestle with. If I truly love and want to serve God, why would I continue to sin? Here is an understanding that I am coming to: I continue to try to earn my salvation. My goal should not be to attain perfection, my goal should be to follow God. When I focus on my sin and my failure, I am putting the attention and importance on myself instead of God. Following God is not about working in my own strength to attain perfection for myself. It is about putting God first and following Him with my whole heart. 

Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

When I acknowledge my weakness and failure, I acknowledge His lordship. When I acknowledge my sin, I understand my need for a savior. The more I pour myself into running after God, soaking Him in, letting Him fill me up and change me, the less room I have for sin. 

Prayer

Lord, may my heart’s desire first and always be to please you. May I love the Lord My God with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind. May I always be open to your promptings and correction. Thank you for your unfailing love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. 

- Debbie Dunn