July 28

2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21, Romans 11:13-36, Psalm 22:1-18, Proverbs 20:7

Pray: Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. Amen.

Read: Our readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament read a lot like a history lesson. Romans gives us some explanation of how the message of God came to be shared with the Gentiles after God’s chosen people, Israel, turned their backs on Him. God never took His favor from the Israelites but He did open the door for the spread of the Gospel to those other than the Jews. Second Chronicles gives us some history of the way that God has been at work through the generations and specifically working in and through the kingly leaders as well as the prophets. For some, this type of reading may not satisfy our literary desires for action and intrigue, but it does give us evidence of God at work at all levels and places in history. This is where we truly find the context of Scripture and see God at work in the big events as well as the day-to-day operations of life.

Edify: The psalmist is singing of feeling as though God has left him. Have you ever felt that way? Felt as though God’s presence has left you? It is an uncomfortable feeling but I am always grounded in the Scripture where we are told that He will never leave us or forsake us. Even though God’s voice may seem quiet in your life during certain times, it does not mean that He has left you. We are called to abide in Him and He will abide in us.

Practice: Our practical application comes from our Proverb today. Live a life of integrity and set the example for the next generation of world changers along the way. It is really amazing what our children learn from our actions… far more than from our words. Are your actions demonstrating your declaration of being a child of God?