Day 181

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles Chapters 19-23

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chronicles 21:20

This entire set of chapters for today reads like a bad soap opera.

One king after another plotting treachery, trying to get ahead. Few are good. Most are evil and self-seeking.

But, this passage sticks out as really sad:

He passed away, to no one’s regret

A 43 year old man, at the top of his field, dies.

No one cares. No fancy funeral – no one would come. No accolades.

I often ask church leaders, “If your church closed tomorrow, never to exist, would anyone care other than your members?”

Ask yourself, “How will your absence effect those around you?”

Live a life that impacts those around you – not because you can gain something from them, but because you have something to give.

Live a life of faith with no regrets and avoid the sad epitaph:

He passed away, to no one’s regret

Tomorrow’s Reading – Obadiah and Psalms 82-83

Advertisement

Day 180

Today’s Reading – 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18

The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, 
“Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. 

Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”

I King 22:13

Ever been tempted to go along with the crowd?

What harm could there be? After all these others were also prophets.

Micaiah was not like the others – He was not going to tell the king what he wanted to hear, but rather he would tell the king what God has declared.

(Elijah had predicted King Ahab’s death and now was the time for God to make good on His prediction 1 King 21:19)

It is much easier to tell a friend or colleague what they want to hear, but we who follow Jesus are called to light in the world.

Take a stand for what you believe and speak the truth – the truth of God.

Tomorrow’s Reading – 2 Chronicles Chapters 19-23

Day 179

Today’s Reading 1 Kings Chapters 20-21

There was never anyone like Ahab. He gave himself over to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord. His wife Jezebel talked him into it. He acted in the most evil way. He worshiped statues of gods. He was like the Amorites. The Lord drove them out to make room for Israel.

When Ahab heard what Elijah had said, he tore his clothes. He put on black clothes. He went without eating. He even slept in his clothes. He went around looking sad.
I King 21:25-27 NIV

Ahab was a bad man, a very bad man. I get that.

But, you might ask why would Naboth not go ahead and sell the land? Because the land was part of his inheritance (or allotment) from God. Naboth had no right to sell what belonged to God – Naboth was the steward.

A couple of take aways for today:

1) No matter how bad you are or have been it is never impossible (or too late) to humble yourself before God and repent. Ahab figured that out.

2) God has given you stewardship of much in your life. Be careful that you do not “sell” what is not yours in order to prosper in this life. Too often we settle for what looks like profit when God intended so much for us!

Tomorrow’s Reading – 1 Kings Chapter 22 and 2 Chronicles 18