2 Kings 24:2 The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against [Jehoiakim] to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by His servants the prophets.
Oct 1 marked one year since I started in Genesis and have been walking chapter by chapter through the Bible. Tomorrow, I will finish my twelfth book of the Bible. Here’s what I am seeing: In the beginning, God created…everything—land and sea, sky and earth, light and dark, humans and animals. And He declared it all good. And that goodness, imparted in us by our Creator, is present within us, but selfish tendencies, the “me first” attitude, covetousness, all that is in there, too.
2 Kings 24:3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’s command, in order to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done….
I have to stop myself from slipping into judgement mode as I keep seeing similar patterns of behavior again and again. It is easy to judge, but I know that I travel the same cycle in my own life—living for God, aware of God, really wanting my own way, putting myself first, understanding my error, living for God. It is a tale as old as time, and my job is to keep striving to get it right, to put God first. Always. Jesus, Help me.
2 Kings 24:4 …including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for a glimpse of understanding of human nature. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help me to live for You. Always. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
2 Kings 24:13 As the LORD declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the LORD and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.