Daily Reading: 2 Kings 9
Then Joram reined about and fled, saying to Ahaziah, “Treachery, O Ahaziah!” And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and shot Joram between the shoulders, so that the arrow pierced his heart, and he sank in his chariot. (2 Kings 9.23-24)
Devotional Thought: "A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." ~Jean de La Fontaine
Judgment on the house of Ahab had been coming for a long time. God had promised that the evil and wickedness committed, permitted, and promoted by Ahab would not go unpunished. After Ahab's death, Joram his son became king. When Joram escaped wounded but alive from a battle with King Hazael of Aram (2 Kings 8.29), it looked like maybe the house of Ahab would escape God’s judgment. Nope! God’s judgment came to Joram, and the house of Ahab, at the hands of Jehu as Joram tried to flee.
This story shows us, first, that you can’t run from God. Second, you can’t run from sin's consequences. "Be sure, your sin will find you out" (Number 32.23). As humans we like to run. We run from God, from consequences, from responsibility, from truth, and sometimes from God’s will. We often think if we run hard and fast enough, we can leave these things behind, as if distance matters. Truthfully the best thing to do is to turn around and face them, face God. This is not the easiest choice, but it is the best choice.
What is the good news in this? God is waiting to receive us and redeem our situation. We will find mercy and grace when we run to God. We may need to repent and commit to obedience. We might have to face some tough consequences or decisions to make things right. But when we quit running, we will find our Savior there, ready to help us turn things around. Don’t be afraid to stop running and turn to God.
Joe Young
Prayer: Lord, as the prophet said, " Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!" Lord, help me and those I love to remember that and to turn to you in faith. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 15:1-5
1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
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