Day 102

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Assyrian Art Depicts Invasion of Israel

Scripture

April 11—2 Kings 13-17: Israel's Destruction

Observation

The time is coming when God will cast aside the ten tribes of Israel and scatter them throughout the nations because of their idolatry and wickedness. With the death of Elisha, the voice of God is no longer heard in Israel. From now until her downfall, Israel's leaders would grope aimlessly for wisdom to cope with the mounting national crisis but they would find none. Reduced at last to a vassal state under Assyrian domination, Israel stages an uprising to throw off the Assyrian yoke. But the revolt is utterly crushed and many Israelites are deported. Those who were not deported were left with other conquered peoples and through intermarrying created the Samaritan race. Israel's long-delayed judgment has come at last.

Application

Why is it that the unrighteous prosper at the expense of the righteous, and God doesn't seem to do anything about it? Isn't he concerned? Doesn't he want the righteous to prosper?

Don't misinterpret God's seeming inactivity today! He is neither unconcerned nor powerless to judge the unrighteous for their wickedness. He is simply long-suffering in withholding deserved judgment in order to give men and women every possible chance to turn to him in faith (2 Peter 3:9). There's no way to believe in the Blessed Hope without the faith.

During Israel's entire 200-year history, all of her kings (nineteen out of nineteen) and most of her people did evil in the sight of their God. Patiently he waited for them to turn from false gods and return to him. But it never happened.

Are you presumptuous about God's patience in your own life? Are you putting off accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, or keeping area of your life from God? Then you are in the same unstable position as the nation Israel. What will you do about it today? Repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life now and forever!

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for being patient and not wanting anyone to miss out on the Blessed Hope that lies ahead for those that believe by coming to the saving knowledge of you. If it wasn't for you being patient with us we may have miss our opportunity and indeed we want to be patient but at the same time we are waiting anxiously for your return for us. We have faith and we trust in your Word, in Jesus name! Amen!




© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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