BESIEGED
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 25
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Dung Gate is one of the gates in the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The gate is situated near the southeast corner of the Old City, southwest of the Temple Mount.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Kings 25:10
And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.
This was a day of judgment! The capital city, the symbol of the nation, was destroyed by Babylon (modern Iraq). Things had never looked worse for God’s chosen people. Earlier they had been forcefully removed from the northern areas, and now from Judah and the city of Jerusalem. What of God’s promises now? What of the prophecies of the great future ruler who would reign forever, the Messiah, the Son of David?
Look ahead! Israel was restored under leaders such as Ezra and Nehemiah. The Temple and the walls were built again. The people of God came to know a long period of peace and prosperity. Greatest of all is that in the course of time, just five miles south of Jerusalem, in the city of David, Bethlehem, Jesus was born.
We move in our reading for tomorrow into the book of Ephesians. After reading Kings, I think we need the encouragement we will receive from the Holy Spirit-inspired letter to the Church at Ephesus!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, fill me each day with the joy that comes from knowing that the darkness and despair that may seem to be all around is only temporary. Please help me to look to the eternal reality of Your plans for my future. Plans that are greater than anything I could imagine. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m taking the time today to read at one sitting the entire book of Ephesians. We’ll consider over the next six days, God willing, the life-enriching and life-changing truths which Paul writes to the people of Ephesus, the largest city of what was then known as Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Paul spent two years there sharing the Good News of Jesus and establishing the church. Now he writes back to these people who are so precious to him. What joyful assurance he brings his loved ones! This is powerful teaching! Perhaps it’s obvious that I’m excited about the week ahead before we move back again into the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles, which present more of a spiritual history of the dynasty of King David. The books of 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings, which we’ve just completed, are more of a political history. I hope and pray for staying power for each reader. I call it sanctified stubbornness! Never give up!! I pray that there will be steel up each backbone which will never bend to the pressures of daily life that might steal away the great blessings which God has for us. Amen!!!
Yours for consistency… as Shakespeare wrote, “Consistency, thou art a rare jewel,”
David
Norma-Jean and I at Sea Level on our way down to the Dead Sea, which is over 1,300 feet below Sea Level. This was during our last trip to Israel in 2015.
Can’t Be Bought
May happiness be yours to share
And joy be your constant kin,
So you have peace beyond compare
As He cleanses the temple within
And as the world sees your face,
Will be seen what they have not,
For this gift is an unearned grace
From a Love that can’t be bought.
GW(Bill) Marshall 24 Aug, 2015
It’s a beautiful warm sunny day in Nova Scotia.I pray for rain where needed and God’s healing hand to bless all.
We could use an assistant cook and another lifeguard for Camp Pagweak.(Peg-wee-aak).Staff training started yesterday at the end of our board meeting.It was like a beehive when I left.Praise God !
David’s prayer is just what we need after today’s reading. The picture of David and Norma-Jean is so uplifting Blessings all today.
Amen to the comments above
Please continue to pray for Nathan but he may be found safe and sound amen 🙏✝️
Yes. It is heartbreaking. Father, in Jesus Name, please reveal his whereabouts. He’s precious. Thank You Lord. Amen
Amen to all prayers and comments.
Continuing to pray for Nathan that he be found unharmed soon and peace for his loved ones as this continues
I am always so grateful that we stand together in prayer for others We may not know each person or situation when prayer requests come but the Lord knows them all
From Michael Youssef’s devotional this morning:
“Prayer: Lord, give me confidence to come to You when I have sinned, knowing You still love me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God—” (Ephesians 2:8).”
Also, Father, please give grace to the people of Alberta. Bring good and wise government to the province. Thank You, Father, for loving us, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen Rob.
Praying that the Lord will answer all of today’s prayer requests.🙏🙏
And, some wisdom from 200 years ago:
Words Were Her Weapon: ‘The Incomparable Hannah More’ https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/words-were-her-weapon-the-incomparable-hannah-more_5292543.html?utm_source=andshare