June 29

2 Kings 15:1-16:20, Acts 19:13-41, Psalm 147:1-20, Proverbs 18:4-5 



Pray: Mark Buchanan says, “The distinguishing mark of the purposeful is not time management. It’s that they notice. They’re fully awake.” Paul encounters an uproar and a group of people in confusion. Our culture is full of people in an uproar, so ask God for clarity that only His Spirit can give to know what the enemy is up to and what God is up to around you.

Read: You will find an ongoing tension in both Old and New Testaments between the ways of the culture and the ways of the Lord. Ask God for eyes to see it in the history in His Word, as well as, in our current generation.

Edify: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11). We see kings of God’s people sacrificing their children as the pagans do. We see those kings who are recorded as trying to be faithful to the Lord, but yet refuse to take down the pagan shrines and end the idolatry of God’s people to purify the land. In Ephesus, we see the crowd forming in fury to the threat of the Gospel of Jesus to their economic status and sexual freedom that their goddess Artemis gives them.  How different would the story be if those with influence lived in fear (astonished reverence) to God and hoped in His unfailing love? The Psalmist tells us that the story would look much more like a rebuilding of the city, a return of the outcast (exiles), a lifting up of the humble, blessing (not killing) of children, peace throughout the area, and satisfaction in the Lord’s provision. 

Practice: How is the Lord calling you today to walk in His ways, especially when it is challenging to the economic and sexual ethics of the culture? How can you grow in purity today? How can you grow generosity? How can you find peace in His unfailing love amidst the uproar in the culture? Take action today.