Day 104

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Judah's Deportation--a Collapsing Nation!

Scripture

April 13—2 Kings 22-25: Judah's Godless Ruin

Observation

Josiah, a righteous man who yearns to turn his spiritually lifeless nation back to God knows that the place to begin is the temple. He repairs the long-neglected house of worship, and in the process discovers the forgotten book of the law. In it Josiah reads history prewritten: Israel's promised judgment by dispersion, and Judah's chastening if she does not learn from Israel's sorry fate. After Josiah's death, the palace, priests, and people alike return to their corrupt course. It is left for Babylon to initiate the nation's collapse. 

Application

How do godly parents end up with rebellious children? Yesterday you read about Manasseh—the vilest king in Judah's history and the son of Judah's greatest reformer, Hezekiah. Today you learn about another servant of God, Josiah—father of three idolatrous sons. How could this happen?

There are easy answers, but this much seems clear. The parents' firsthand knowledge of God never became more than secondhand information to the children. Through oversight or neglect, the parents never challenged their children to discover how God could be real in their own lives.

God has no spiritual grandchildren. Each new generation must respond to him personally, and find him to be all-sufficient for their needs. Think back over the times God has shown himself real in your life, and then answer these two penetrating questions: 1. Parents are you denying your children those same vital learning experiences? 2. Children, are you resisting your parents' efforts to show you the reality of faith in God? Either way, you lose?

Prayer

Oh Lord, we need to bring up our youth witnessing and sharing our faith with them to them and in front of them at all times so that they will know and see you working in their lives as well. Help us Lord to share our own journey and learning experiences leading to our Lord Jesus Christ and we will be so careful to give you the praise, the honor and the glory! In your son's Jesus name, amen!


Parents Sharing the Good News with Children!





© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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