Monday, May 22, 2023

GOOD DECISIONS

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 18

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Hezekiah’s capital city… Jerusalem. This present-day photo is a northeast view looking toward the Temple Mount area.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 18:5

“He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any who were before him.”

Hezekiah stands out as a shining light. He served the Lord completely, destroyed false religion in the land, even to breaking up the image of the serpent that Moses had set up because the people had begun worshipping it as an idol. Read Numbers 21:4-9. Jesus referred to the serpent in John 3:14 when He spoke of being lifted up on the cross. To understand the significance of Jesus’ statement, we may consider 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Hezekiah’s own father had been one of the most evil kings of Judah. Somehow, in one generation, God changed the direction of this family and of Judah. God found a young man, 25 when he became king, who made a life-long decision to turn from the wicked ways of his father, live a holy life, and lead his people back to the God of Israel. Our decisions change us for the better or the worse.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please hear my prayer when I ask for Your help in making the right decisions for my life and for my testimony to others. Thank You that I can change from the past, moving into a glorious future because of Jesus, Your Son and my Saviour and Lord, in whose Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The basic content of the message that God called me to bring to a gathering of Christian leaders in Jerusalem in 2015 was one of repentance for harbouring any hatred or even disrespect towards Arabs or Jews. Such contempt is sin against our Creator God whom the Bible says is “Love!” Yes, He judges people and nations and He reserves that right for Himself. I’m so very thankful that I am not anyone’s judge! I am to love unconditionally!

Yours for God-inspired decisions which make positive changes in our lives and in the lives of others,

David

6 thoughts on “Monday, May 22, 2023

  1. A lot of kings & heritage in today’s reading. The main lesson still is “to follow the Lord, and Him only. The devil will flee and God will bless and direct us. Amen. Please continue to pray for Alberta. The air is affected by the smoke. Thanks.

    • Doreen, Amen to your prayer.
      I prayed David’s Prayer for Today, in Jesus’ Name,
      Amen.
      I continue to ask God to stop the wildfires and smoke in Alberta and BC from affecting the people’s
      lives in a negative way.
      May God take control of this situation, in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

  2. Amen, joining you in prayer Doreen.

    May we all have the courage of Hezekiah to do what is right and completely follow our Lord.
    I must admit at times I feel discouraged reading through the Old Testament, as again and again the people do evil in God’s sight, and I wonder do we as a human race ever learn or change?
    Today’s reading is a reminder that our God is still in control.
    Thank you Lord for Your mercy, thank you for our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

  3. Amen to the comments and prayer for Alberta above
    God I thank you for the life of King Hezekiah I thank you that he was a godly Noble righteous King that honored served and loved God with all his heart
    Thank you God for his example us to follow as we too ought to live holy godly righteous lives and serve the king of kings and the Lord of lords amen 🙏✝️
    PS by the way King Hezekiah is my favorite King in the Bible amen ♥️

  4. It’s refreshing to read of a king who did what was right in the Lord’s sight.

    I couldn’t help but notice how king Sennacherib kept sending his negative messages and “threatening” king Hezekiah . The enemy is just like that. We may feel encouraged at times by God’s Word then along comes the enemy to discourage us with his lies. ( see verses 19-25; 28-37 ). We must stand firm on our beliefs and convictions. Our God will not fail us, as we will see in tomorrow’s reading.

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