July 2
2 Kings 20:1-22:2; Acts 21:18-36; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 18:9-10
Often our actions have unintended consequences. We see that in 2 Kings 20 and Acts 21. Hezekiah had just been healed and when an emissary from Babylon came with a gift he was more than happy to show off the wealth of Judah. Only afterward does he find out that this distant nation would be the one that would exile the remnant of Judah. Who would have thought that a tour of Israel would be a step in its demise? Then in Acts 21, Paul is asked to partake of purification rites at the temple to show that he has not cast off Jewish traditions now that he is a Christian. He is happy to do so but it leads to a riot. He is nearly killed until Roman troops rush to his rescue. Neither Hezekiah nor Paul was acting wrongly, but their actions led to disaster. Sometimes that is the way life is. We can exert wisdom, seek God, and yet the outcome isn’t what we hoped for. The lesson from this is we need to act in obedience and humility and leave the results to God. We can plan our course but truly God will determine our steps.
As we wrap up our first trip through the Psalms today, Psalm 150 instructs how we should respond in all situations of life, which is praise. Regardless of whether our actions lead to prosperity or exile, peace or rioting, we should praise God at all times because he is always worthy. So as Psalm 150 tells us let us “Praise him…praise him…praise him…praise him….[and] praise him.”
Father God, thank you that you are in control of all things. When my life doesn’t look like what I want, I thank you that you are still with me, directing me, and working all things for your glory and my good. Help me to always praise you with all you have given to me. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to praise God in all circumstances?
Often our actions have unintended consequences. We see that in 2 Kings 20 and Acts 21. Hezekiah had just been healed and when an emissary from Babylon came with a gift he was more than happy to show off the wealth of Judah. Only afterward does he find out that this distant nation would be the one that would exile the remnant of Judah. Who would have thought that a tour of Israel would be a step in its demise? Then in Acts 21, Paul is asked to partake of purification rites at the temple to show that he has not cast off Jewish traditions now that he is a Christian. He is happy to do so but it leads to a riot. He is nearly killed until Roman troops rush to his rescue. Neither Hezekiah nor Paul was acting wrongly, but their actions led to disaster. Sometimes that is the way life is. We can exert wisdom, seek God, and yet the outcome isn’t what we hoped for. The lesson from this is we need to act in obedience and humility and leave the results to God. We can plan our course but truly God will determine our steps.
As we wrap up our first trip through the Psalms today, Psalm 150 instructs how we should respond in all situations of life, which is praise. Regardless of whether our actions lead to prosperity or exile, peace or rioting, we should praise God at all times because he is always worthy. So as Psalm 150 tells us let us “Praise him…praise him…praise him…praise him….[and] praise him.”
Father God, thank you that you are in control of all things. When my life doesn’t look like what I want, I thank you that you are still with me, directing me, and working all things for your glory and my good. Help me to always praise you with all you have given to me. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to praise God in all circumstances?
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