DCLM Daily Manna 9 July 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Predictable Conduct

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TOPIC: Predictable Conduct (DCLM Daily Manna 9 July 2023)

KEY VERSE: “Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father” (2 Kings 16:2).

TEXT: 2 Kings 16:1-9 (KJV)

1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

2 Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father.

3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel.

4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

What even unbelievers appreciate about the Bible, apart from its prophetic declarations and irrefutable wisdom and many other attributes, is its unpretentious narratives. In the Bible, God expressly permitted stories of the failures, fall and frailties of great kings, prophets and leaders. He also caused to be revealed how those who trusted Him bounced back. There is no cover-up of the tendencies or weaknesses of any of His prophets and people.

The Scripture’s record about the reign of Ahaz, one of the kings of Judah, shows that “he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father”. He relegated God in his decision-making. When there were threats to the territorial integrity of Judah, he plundered the house of the Lord and gave its treasures to the Assyrian king in exchange for military protection from the aggressors, instead of leaning on God for deliverance.

Ahaz went on to commit more abominations that alienated him from God. He caused an altar like those of the heathen to be constructed in Jerusalem, upon which he worshipped. Thus, for all of his reign of sixteen years, Ahaz scorned the Lord.

We need to pray for leaders not to embark on destructive decisions that could turn the people away from God. After Ahaz forsook the Lord, his trajectory henceforth became predictable. He began the worship of idols from his tender age of twenty. No wonder his era attracted wars. While we are charged to obey those in authority, we must be discreet not to follow in their missteps by getting involved in similar sinful practices and remaining indifferent to matters that receive divine approval.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Praying for our leaders is in our national and collective interest.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 18-19

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2023 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

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