June 30 devotional

Scripture

2 Kings 17:13-17 “Again and again the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah. But the Israelites would not listen. They were stubborn as their ancestors and refused to believe in the Lord their God. They rejected his laws and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them. They defiled all the commands of the Lord their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven. They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and used sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the Lord’s anger.”

Observation

Do we still believe in the Lord’s anger? God gave Israel a choice. He set before them blessings and cursings. He said if you love me and keep my commands, I will bless you abundantly, but if you reject me and my ways, there will be curses. The nation of Israel choose the curses. This passage tells the depth of sin they entered into. God loved them so much he sent prophets to warn them and to call them back to God but they rejected them and refused to listen. Eventually God sent their enemies to defeat them. They experienced God’s judgment.

Application

There are consequences to my actions. My disobedience has a cost. I cannot believe that I can continually disobey God and nothing will happen. The New Testament teaches that I will reap what I sow. If I choose to disobey God and live in sin, I will reap a whirlwind. I will face the consequences. Why doesn’t the church believe that today? Why do I and others insist on doing things the hard way? God I don’t want to be like the Israelites. I want to love you to the point, I will obey you. Change my heart. Holy Spirit do not allow me to go down that path. I believe your Word to be true. I believe there are consequences to my actions. I want to choose the path of blessing. I want to live my life your way and by your principles.

Prayer

Father, I pledge my allegiance to you. I am your servant. You are my master. I will obey your commands. Keep my heart pure. May my heart be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I do not want to be like the Israelites who continually rejected the warnings of the prophets. I want to heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation that I may know you. I desire to obey you. I love you. Increase my love!