June 17
2 Chronicles 21:8-20; 2 Kings 8:23-29; 2 Chronicles 22:1-7; 2 Kings 9:1-10:17; 2 Chronicles 22:8-9; 2 Kings 10:18-31
Have you ever felt like you were getting a fresh start? This may have occurred when you were a child and moved to a different city, or when you went off to college, got married, acquired a new job, or retired. In today's reading, we see this fresh start for the nations of Israel and Judah. God uses Jehu to give a fresh start to Israel and Judah by eradicating the evil of Ahab in both Judah and Israel. This was a fresh opportunity for both nations to renew their commitment to God rather than remain in rebellion and prostitution. However, this fresh start was very short lived; Jehu eradicated the kings and Baal worship, but he “was not careful to keep the law” and “did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 10:31).
Our ultimate fresh start is when we come to faith in Christ. He makes us a new creation─giving us a new identity and a new birth. Despite this, we can still fall into old behaviors and sins. Since our old self has been crucified with Christ, our old behaviors and sins should die as well. As we acquire fruits of the Spirit in our walk with God, we are called to live in a manner that aligns with who we are in Christ, and not who we used to be. We are given a fresh new way to life.
Father God, thank you for giving me a new life in you. Help me to live a life that reflects who you are rather than who I used to be. Amen.
What old habit has resurfaced? How can you live in a new way in this area of your life?
Have you ever felt like you were getting a fresh start? This may have occurred when you were a child and moved to a different city, or when you went off to college, got married, acquired a new job, or retired. In today's reading, we see this fresh start for the nations of Israel and Judah. God uses Jehu to give a fresh start to Israel and Judah by eradicating the evil of Ahab in both Judah and Israel. This was a fresh opportunity for both nations to renew their commitment to God rather than remain in rebellion and prostitution. However, this fresh start was very short lived; Jehu eradicated the kings and Baal worship, but he “was not careful to keep the law” and “did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 10:31).
Our ultimate fresh start is when we come to faith in Christ. He makes us a new creation─giving us a new identity and a new birth. Despite this, we can still fall into old behaviors and sins. Since our old self has been crucified with Christ, our old behaviors and sins should die as well. As we acquire fruits of the Spirit in our walk with God, we are called to live in a manner that aligns with who we are in Christ, and not who we used to be. We are given a fresh new way to life.
Father God, thank you for giving me a new life in you. Help me to live a life that reflects who you are rather than who I used to be. Amen.
What old habit has resurfaced? How can you live in a new way in this area of your life?
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