July 2nd One Year Bible Readings

2 Kings 20:1-22:2 + Acts 21:18-36 + Psalm 150:1-6 + Proverbs 18:9-10
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Old Testament – In 2 Kings 20 today we read about King Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery.  The thing that stood out to me in these passages is that after Hezekiah heard from Isaiah that he was going to die, Hezekiah did not just wallow in sorrow and let what was supposed to happen, happen.  No!  What does Hezekiah do?  He prays to the living God!  This is convicting and encouraging for me. I am afraid that sometimes I will just wallow in my sorrow over a situation, when I should be praying about the situation to God!  If we don’t take it to God in prayer, how can God really help us?  I know that oftentimes God does show amazing mercy to us and do things for us when we do not pray.  But, why don’t we pray to God in times of sorrow?  How about you – when sorrow comes to your doorstep, do you take the situation to God in prayer?   Below is an image of Isaiah warning Hezekiah of his impending death in verse 1 – and Hezekiah immediately praying!

Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon. Unfortunately, he is a bit too hospitable with these envoys...  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years from when Isaiah delivers this word in this chapter.  We will read more about the Babylonian exile later in this year’s One Year Bible readings.  How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?  Is this dangerous?

 

New Testament – Wow… tough week for Paul in today’s readings.  Scary how the readings end today – with the mob chanting “Kill Him!  Kill Him!”  Does this remind you of anyone else?  Perhaps Paul’s Savior?

You might be asking why did Paul agree to take part in the Jewish purification ceremony in today’s readings?  I think you’ll find the answer to this question in Paul’s own words from his first letter to the Corinthians, verses 19 through 23 – “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”  How about you in your life today?  Do you make yourself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible?  Do you become all things to all people so that by all possible means you might save some?  Below is an image of the Apostle Paul, by Rembrandt, from 1657:

Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "The Giving and Taking of Advice" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 150 is a wonderful end to the Psalter filled with a call to Praise God with all that we are!  Give it up for God and God only!

Proverbs – Today we read one of my favorite Proverbs - Proverbs 18 verse 10 – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Do you believe that the name Jesus is a strong tower that can keep us safe? I honestly do. I actually went through a period of nightmares several years ago – and somehow, in those nightmares, I began to call out the name “Jesus” in my sleep, and the nightmares ended instantly! Seriously. It was incredible. Whenever a nightmare began, I was able to call upon Jesus’ name and they kept ending right away. Ever since then I have come to realize how incredibly powerful the name of Jesus truly is. Do you believe that the name of Jesus is a strong tower? Will you run to Jesus for safety in times of trouble? Will you call upon the name of Jesus in your hour of need?

Worship Video: Today's readings in 2nd Kings reminded me of Laura Story's song "One Life to Lose:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4svhIdtcTE

Have you lost your life? Click here to find it!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that the name of the LORD is your strong tower. Pray that you run to the LORD daily and are safe in Him. Pray that the LORD is your fortress when you are weak.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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Comments

[Ramona]

II Kings 20-22:2

I have always had issues with the story of Hezekiah and each and every time I read through this section and the written account in II Chronicles (29-32), I contrast what was said about him in the eighteenth chapter,
“5 Hezekiah trusted in, leaned on, and was confident in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that neither after him nor before him was any one of all the kings of Judah like him” with, 19Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." But the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime."

I’m not sure when I began wrestling with this part of the scripture but I know what disturbs me. I believe God is a God of generations and because of His foreknowledge sees and knows everything so he is concerned with how we consider and treat those who are yet unborn. We are responsible for passing down to future generations the best state of affairs we can. That is only possible if His People live righteously; however, in the twentieth chapter of II Kings, Hezekiah shows no concern in his heart from the generations to come, he only shows concern about what will happen in his lifetime. Here is a man who prayed for his own life and given a fifteen-year extension; however, he has no concern for not only the next generation, but his own seed, or does he.

Maybe I am not at a mature enough place as yet to understand all this so any comments will help.
Acts 21:18-36

Isn’t it amazing how Paul’s attempt to do the right thing to not offend his “brothers” winds up doing the very thing he was trying to avoid? Assumptions are the actions we use that lead to much turmoil and chaos. How often have I assumed an act, a word or a look meant one thing and it really meant another? Assumption is the lowest form of communication.

I’m also seeing the irony of how the Bible first introduces Saul/Paul. When we first see him, he is mentioned as the “guy” who is watching the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:57).

I have noticed with my own life after “salvation” and in the life of others who have shared their testimony with me what every mess God immediately delivered them out of when they were saved, God has you right back in the midst of their old messes working with others. Most of the times you don’t even recognize that you are there until some time has gone by then you are shocked.

I grew up with a lot of abuse and I found myself teaching a bible study because I was asked not because I was seeking to be a teacher. After two or three months I realized that the participants were almost all male sexual predators (Yes, there are female predators). I laughed when the understanding came to me that I was dealing with a population that I use to fear greatly. God takes away our fear and then places us in the very midst of what we use to dread.
Psalm 150

Praising God can get somewhat loud it.

Proverbs 18:9-10

The ninth verse in the Amplified is both powerful and reveals how dangerous and self-destructive laziness is:

9 He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

When I first came across this verse in the Amplified, I had trouble understanding how laziness and not using your endeavors to heal yourself is comparable to suicide. However since I first ran across this verse I understand that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. We are lazy because we don’t want to expand the energy it takes to maintain control or order over a given situation because we are either tired of doing it or just plan tired. So we are taking a condition, life on this earth, which is temporary, to forgo working on keeping evil and sin at bay, which is hard work, thus missing out on that which is eternal, heaven where we will no longer have to fight the forces of sin and evil. Hope this makes sense.

Please note that I am not saying that we are Saved by works only that accepting God and the salvation that His Son, Jesus brings to us requires “work” or effort on our part to live righteously. It is easy to sin but difficult to take a stand against it.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Deedee]

I can't believe I am completely through with Psalms today. Starting over! Yay!

The Lord is a strong tower! Absolutely!

Loved the power of prayer from Hezekiah and the Lord extended his life 15 years. Wow. Love it.