S) "7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, 'I am your servant and your son; come up and deliver me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are rising up against me.'"
2 Kings 16:7 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 16
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 16
O) Ahaz actually had a dad, whose name was Jotham, and he was even a decent king. However, because his dad didn't follow the LORD completely, some idolatry remained in the kingdom. When times of war came (which was according to the will of God, per 2 Kings 15:37), Ahaz did not respond correctly by seeking God, but instead sought political help from Assyria. In his address, he referred to himself as a servant and son of Assyria. While it seems pretty obvious that this is an idiom, not to be taken literally, what it is conveying is clear enough. His words to Tiglath-pileser would have been perfectly fit to speak to the LORD, had he seen himself and his identity properly.
A) Identity is a tricky thing. Even the most positive markers can end up snaring us to points of view that hinder, or even harm, the way we react to change and challenges. This is a great reminder that I really must limit how I define my own identity, to make it God-centered. I need to resist the temptation to expand it beyond that. There is a culture around me, even the Christian culture, that applauds being a husband, father, career-man, and working in ministry. However, if I am allowing those definitions to shape how I see things, react to things, and what I believe to be good and true and right, then what happens if/when God takes away my wife? My kids? Any of the things that I had allowed to define me and shape my worldview? It will shake me and could cause me to stumble without recovery. However, if I limit my identity to that of being a servant and son of God, then I will be unshakeable because those two things will never change. God has promised, in Christ Jesus, that I will never be forsaken. As long as I am choosing to serve Him, through my faith and obedience of Jesus, then I will always be allowed to be His servant and son, by the grace given to me through the work of the gospel.
P) Father, I am humbled to be called Your servant and son. It is such great love that You have lavished on me, just as the Scriptures say. Please remind me, to limit the scope of my identity and restrict it only to who I am to You. Jesus is the truth, and in Him my identity is verified. When I am tempted to see myself beyond who I am in Christ, please discipline me and bring my focus back to You, Lord. Be glorified and honored in my life, by Your grace at work within me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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