2 Kings 24-25

Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah rule Judah unfaithfully as it continues to fall apart at the seams in 2 Kings 24-25.  Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders destroy the Promise Land that is left in Judah.  The Lord's temple and the palace are stripped of all their treasures, and the Babylonians carry all of God's people into exile.  Only the poorest of the poor and the least are left behind in their homeland.  And just when you think things couldn't get any worse for Jerusalem, the least to the greatest are forced to flee to Egypt out of fear for their lives.  Just like that, God's people are right back where they started during the days of Moses.

God is right there with Moses and His people during the entire exodus out of Egypt.  They experience His transforming presence.  They follow Him during the uncertain times.  And then once they enter the Promise Land and things are really good, God's people slowly let go of Him in their lives.  They push their human desires to their limits until they are completely disconnected from God's will, and consequently His blessings, for their lives.  I think it's a weakness that is human nature to some extent.

And look what happens next...

26 At this, all the people from the least to the greatest, together with the army officers, fled to Egypt for fear of the Babylonians.

2 Kings 25:26

Fear sets in, and we keep running away.  We are bound by whatever sin gets in the way of our relationship with God.

So how do we fight that?  How do we make sure we aren't running from God's saving grace in our lives?

God WANTS us to pray to Him.

He longs for an open, on-going, intimate and honest conversation with me (and you).

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for hearing all my prayers and holding my hand when I reach for You.  Forgive me for depending on myself and others all too often.  

Open my heart to Your transforming love and grace, Lord.  Continue to guide me in Your way.  Show what to do next for You this day.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

In Christ's love,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.