Friday, April 11

Scripture: 2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 101

We are journeying together through God’s Word this year, and now in this season of Lent, we also journey with Jesus toward the cross. Reading II Kings 1-3 is a great reminder of God’s patience with His children, and a reminder that as a loving Father, He disciplines disobedience. Israel and her kings repeatedly disobeyed, disregarded, and disrespected God. Time after time He needed to discipline them for their own good, and time after time He showed His “khesed” (Hebrew for enduring, loyal love), and restored them. He sent messengers called “prophets”, like Elijah and Elisha, who would speak for Him to give guidance, commands, and even judgements. But these messengers were often ignored and even hated because people wanted to do their own thing their own way. Elijah and Elisha performed many powerful miracles proving their authority and God’s anointing on their ministry, but still people sinned through pride and disobedience. In Psalm 101, we read David’s words that give evidence of why God calls him, “a man after God’s heart”. David proclaims loyalty to God and hating what God hates, and this comes from a man whose reputation was marred by sin. Yet God accepted David’s repentance and restored him, and that “khesed” shaped David’s life…and his heart. There is no greater example of “khesed” than God becoming man and giving His life as a ransom for our sin. He continues to speak to us like He did with Israel, drawing us to His Throne of Grace. Will we, like Israel did on many occasions, choose to do things our own way, or will we like David, “sing of His love and justice”, and “conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart”?

How has God revealed His “khesed” to you today, and in your life?

~ Jeff Callender

Daily Prayer Focus:

All senior citizens.