Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Feb 8, 2022, 7:35 AM
Passage Read: 1 Chronicles 3-6
Meditation Verses: 5:25-26
Thought
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh were the first to lose their land and go into exile. They were the most remote part of Israel, and along with the other northern tribes had rebelled against Rehoboam son of Solomon. They were led astray by Jeroboam to worship golden calves, and we're willing to cross great distances to worship them. But they also took to other gods, gods of the nations around them.
Feb 7, 2022, 7:37 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 24 - 1 Chronicles 2
Meditation Verses: 2 Kings 24:3-4
Thought
Even God has His limits. Manasseh had pushed God too far. The people under Manasseh had sinned so much against God that He was not willing to forgive them. Though Josiah recognized the sins of the people and tried to turn them back to the Lord, as much as he did, it was too little, too late. The Lord had already determined to drive them out of His land. He would not completely abandon them, as He promised through Moses, but neither would He forgive that generation or two.
Feb 6, 2022, 7:38 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 20-23
Meditation Verses: 22:18-20
Thought
Hezekiah did wrong and was rebuked by the Lord, but he wasn't really bothered by it, because he had a promise from God that everything would be fine to the end of his days. Josiah heard the words of the Law and tore his clothes in grief and distress. He knew the Lord must be angry and perhaps there was no hope. But because Josiah was responsive to the Lord, the Lord promised to protect Judah until after Josiah's passing.
Feb 5, 2022, 7:39 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 16-19
Meditation Verses: 18:3-5
Thought
Hezekiah is the first king who removed the high places, as God had commanded long ago in the Book of the Law. He was obedient and faithful to the Lord to a degree that no one had before him. He actually removed the high places! Every king before him was at best faithful only up to that point, they didn't remove the high places. So Hezekiah hit a new high for Israel. And then was tested with an incredibly difficult test!
Feb 4, 2022, 7:40 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 12-15
Meditation Verses: 12:2-3
Thought
Even with a priest guiding him, Joash didn't know to remove the high places. This same thing is said of every king of Judah, even those who did well. The Lord had told the Israelites that they were to worship in Jerusalem only, all high places were to be destroyed. But no one so far got it, even when guided by a priest. Did he not know what the Law said? He gave a copy to the king at his inauguration! They had the book of the Law.
Feb 3, 2022, 7:42 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 8-11
Meditation Verses: 10:30-31
Thought
Jehu was rewarded with four generations of kings from him because he was zealous for the Lord, in what the Lord had commanded. He was far better than Ahab and his line, but he was no better than Jeroboam. He served the Lord according to his own understanding, which was better than his predecessor, but not great. He could have learned more of the Lord, but he wasn't so inclined. It is OK to serve the Lord according to the understanding of society at large, but it is far better to serve the Lord according to His Word and truth.
Feb 2, 2022, 7:43 AM
Passage Read: 2 Kings 4-7
Meditation Verse: 5:18
Thought
God knows the intent of our heart. He does not merely look on the outward action and judge us. He judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. He knows if Naaman is bowing in worship or in service to his king. He knows our hearts too, if we are worshiping people or things or not. We can have confidence that He will judge us truthfully, He won't misinterpret our actions, even if everyone else does.
Feb 1, 2022, 7:44 AM
Passage Read: 1 Kings 22 - 2 Kings 3
Meditation Verse: 2 Kings 2:9
Thought
The Lord honored the loyalty of Elisha. Elijah encouraged Elisha to remain behind several times, but Elisha refused. Because Elisha stayed with Elijah to the end, Elijah offered him whatever he wanted. What Elisha wanted was a double portion of Elijah's spirit. It was a good request, one that showed his love for God and for the people, but it was also a very ambitious request. Yet God granted it, because of his heart to serve the Lord's prophet, the Lord and the people.