Monthly Archives: September 2013

2 Kings 17

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In 2 Kings 17 we read about Samaria being taken into captivity by the Assyrians, and the reason God allowed that to happen. “the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God…  did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God”.

Israel had built high places, images and groves, and burnt incense in their worship of idols. They’d done this secretly, hoping to hide their actions from God. God sent prophets to tell Israel to return to serving the true God, but they wouldn’t hear.

Events like this remind us how easy it is to deceive ourselves, to make other things in our life a priority over God, and try to hide it. Like Israel, God has given us an opportunity to repent and turn again to Him.

2 Corinthians 3-4

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Paul says that God “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ“.  We are being transformed by this light, the reflection of God’s glory, into the same image, that of Jesus. But it is clear that this transformation is not a result of our own power, rather this treasure is in jars of clay. We are constantly afflicted but never destroyed, so that the life of Jesus might be manifest in our lives.  Paul encourages us not to lose heart, for “he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also“.  We are being prepared for “an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison“, so we should look beyond the things we can see today to the unseen glorious future, when we will live for eternity united with our God.

2 Kings 7, Lamentations 3

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Elisha described to the king an impossible sounding scenario. During a siege so severe that women resorted to eating their children, Elisha says that the very next day fine flour and barley would be so abundant it would be sold cheaper than dove’s dung. Of course Elisha’s prophecy is accurate, and the siege ended the next day, although the disbelieving captain did not live to enjoy it. This story is great for reminding us that, no matter how impossible God’s word may sound, it will certainly come to pass. Today we are besieged by the effects of sin, with all the sorrow that it brings. But one day that will be over, and ‘tomorrow’ will bring the kingdom.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord”