S) "37 In those days the Lord began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah."
2 Kings 15:37 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 15
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 15
O) The majority of this chapter is giving a quick rundown of the kings of Israel in Samaria. It shows king after king being betrayed by servants and subjects, then murdered, and the villain ascending the throne. Only the cycle repeats, and over and over, new kings elect themselves by murder and betrayal. Then, toward the end, we see that Jotham succeeded his father in Judah. He did right in the sight of the Lord, although he still had flaws. And then we see this verse nestled near the end of his short paragraph.
A) With unwritten (not here, anyway) implication, this chapter reminds me that God is faithful to his promises. David had a descendent on the throne of Judah until the very last, and that included Jotham along the way. The promises God has made to me, through my King Jesus, will surely come to pass. It is not because of my faithfulness, but because of His! This is an irresistible confidence booster! On the other hand, God allowed for testing and discipline into the life of Jotham (and other kings). In this case, God sent the other kings against Jotham. Whether or not he passed the test, the faithfulness of God as a Father cannot be missed. In the same way, while my faithfulness to Him is not perfect, He will allow tests into my life that are meant for me to draw me closer to Him. He wants me to pass the tests. He wants victory for me (although my "wars" are certainly not physical, but spiritual, according to Ephesians 6).
P) Father, thank You for the faithfulness You have shown throughout history. Thank You for the faithfulness You have shown me. Thank You for the promises I have, secured by Jesus Christ, because of Your faithfulness. I confess that my faithfulness to You certainly is still imperfect. But, because of that, I desire to be disciplined, Father God. I desire the testing You have in store for me, and I want to pass the tests for You, Father God. Allow any difficulties into my life; as long as I draw closer to You, I don't care what comes in my life. That is my determination, that is my declaration, that is my devotion to You. Let Your will be done in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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