Readings for today: 2 Kings 12-13, 2 Chronicles 24
As I read the passages for yesterday and today, I see a familiar and tragic pattern emerging. The same pattern that’s been in place since the Fall. Cain and Abel. The state of the world just before the Flood. Tower of Babel. The time of the Judges. Left to her own devices, humanity inevitably descends into godlessness. Violence. Suffering. Pain. Jehu is called to be God’s hand of justice. He executes God’s will in a brutal, terrifying fashion. It is a harsh reminder of how seriously God takes our sin and serves as a foreshadowing of hell. By contrast, the rise of Joash reminds us God always claims a remnant for Himself. A faithful people who follow His will and provide hope for the nation. Joash lived most of his life in faithfulness and the result is peace and prosperity and security. He restored the Temple. He cleansed the land of idolatry. He led the people back to true worship of the Living God.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. We see this dynamic played out over and over again throughout the Scriptures. I love what it says in 2 Kings 13:23, “But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.” No matter how far humanity falls. No matter how bad things may get. No matter how much violence and suffering and pain may be taking place. God is faithful. God is true. God is steadfast. Immovable. He will not abandon us. He will not forsake His people. He loves us with an everlasting love. “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)
I pray this brings you comfort today. I know we are all living through an extremely difficult season. I asked a retired pastor recently if he had seen anything like this in all his years of ministry. His answer was not even close. A global pandemic. Economic shutdown. Racial tension and unrest. Political division. It feels like the very ground is shifting under our feet. We see the mistreatment and murder of people of color. The rioting and looting. The assaults on our law enforcement. The vandalism and destruction of public monuments that include far more than just confederate statues. It’s hard to get our heads and hearts around the turmoil and chaos we’re seeing and experiencing. It’s tempting to rise up. Marshal whatever power and authority we have. Cling to our rights. Protect our livelihoods and property. Turn inward and make sure we remain safe. But God calls us to a different way. A better way. The way of Jesus. It is the way of prayer. The way of sacrifice. The way of empathy. The way of love. Now more than ever we need revival! Now more than ever we need to turn to God!
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27