June 22

2 Kings 3:1-4:17, Acts 14:8-28, Psalm 140:1-13, Proverbs 17:22

Pray: Each day is filled with temptation. It comes in all different forms. Some are more acceptable in our society than others, but temptation is always there. The writer of Psalm 140 asks the Lord to protect him (from evil, from enemies, etc.). May your prayer and mine be that we would seek the Lord to protect us from evil temptations, from the enemy who has come to steal, kill, and destroy all that is good. As we often say, “Evil is not passive, it is aggressive.” Let our prayers be even more aggressive!

Read: 2 Kings 4 begins with two stories. One is the story of a poor widow who needs money to pay a debt. God provides more than enough in her story. The other story is a wealthy woman who doesn’t have a son. God enables her to become pregnant and give birth to a baby boy. Poor and rich, God provides. We sometimes drift into thinking our concerns, our lives, don’t really matter that much to God. Forgive us, Lord! God loves us much more than we’re capable of comprehending. If we’re trusting and faithful, God will provide all we need and more.

Edify: King Jehoshaphat must have been tired of asking the same question over and over again: “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us?” He asked a similar question to Joram’s father, King Ahab. Both kings were ready to go into battle without even consulting the Lord (Joram actually did mobilize the troops before seeking the Lord). One doesn’t consult God at all. The other continually reminds others of the importance of seeking the Lord’s guidance. Which one will you be?

Practice: They thought they were gods! The people in Lystra decided that Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods. Most people, men especially, want to be admired, respected, and appreciated. This was a tremendous opportunity for them to receive tons of praise and to be celebrated, but at what cost? When God works through you and me and does a miraculous work: longtime friend finally comes to church after hundreds of invites, a ministry grows after we become obedient and start serving/leading, etc., there’s an opportunity. We can take the credit and praise – OR – we can be a Paul and Barnabas who responded, “we are merely human beings...” and pointed back to God’s divine work. It’s harder than you think, but so very important!