July 2

2 Kings 20:1-22:2, Acts 21:18-36, Psalm 150:1-6, Proverbs 18:9-10 



Pray: “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears” (2 Kings 20:5). These could be the most astounding and hope-filled words in the entire Scriptures. Pray boldly as one who knows that the God of the universe, for whom nothing is impossible for, hears your prayers.

Read: Pay close attention to the chaos throughout today’s reading and what brings about chaos.

Edify: Just as God brought order out of chaos and beauty out of the void in creation, so God is still intimately involved in human affairs. The Lord tells Hezekiah through Isaiah what he will be doing in 3 days and over the course of his 15 years remaining on earth. What Paul suffered at the hands of the Jews in Jerusalem was predicted in yesterday’s reading and only took a week to come to pass with Paul in chains. The Lord is in control, however we have the free will to choose whether we will walk with Him or walk in the ways of chaos. The Proverb makes it clear that the Lord is our “fortress” and is the only place we find ultimate safety in all that we can’t control in this world.

Practice: Praise Him and trust His good plan for your life. Make today a day of praise and gratitude asking God to fully realize and count all the ways that He blesses you in situations you truly don’t have control over. That breath you just took. Praise Him. That drive home from work when someone didn’t cross over the center line. Praise Him. That you were born in a free country that is free of war. Praise Him. Count your blessings today and praise Him.