MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2020
TOPIC: END OF IMPUNITY
TEXT: 2 Kings 11:1-12
KEY VERSE:
“And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.” - (2 Kings 11:1)
What has come to be referred to as the Arab Spring was a series of pro-democracy uprisings that enveloped several largely Muslim countries, including Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Bahrain. The events in these nations generally began in the spring of 2011 which led to the removal of popular dictators and brought social and political change.
From the passage under review, the southern kingdom of Judah was now being consumed by the venom of the poisonous snake they allowed in their nation. Athaliah, the daughter of Omri, a king in the idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel, came into the royal family of Judah by marriage. She killed her own grandchildren and took control of the nation. But unknown to her, Jehoash, one of the king’s sons was hidden by her nurse. Seven years later, Athaliah was overthrown after a well-planned military operation. Thus, her impunity and illegality was brought to an end.
The actions of Athaliah were bizarre, illegal and arbitrary. This was unbecoming of a mother and grandmother. As surprising as her actions were, it was however not unexpected considering the witchcraft and wickedness in the idolatrous family of Omri, Ahab and Jezebel. She was a product of that system and found her way into the southern kingdom through marriage.
Dictators do not have the support of the people. They may continue for years, but will come to an abrupt end sooner or later. They will soon have their days in court when the table turns, and justice begins to prevail. Those who rule with an iron fist and refuse to give room for freedom, equity and justice, will eventually be removed and their impunity cannot continue.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Tyranny will not last forever.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 1-3
HIGHER EVERYDAY
MONDAY JUNE 15, 2020
A HARDENED HEART
TEXT: HEBREWS 3:7-14
MEMORY VERSE: "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness" (HEBREWS 3:7, 8).
In his article, "Jesus Calling: How Well Are You Listening?" J. A. Medders sees selective hearing as a common disorder in young people. Because of hardened hearts, they choose to listen only to the things that please them, and turn deaf ears to the real purpose of the call. They would say: "I couldn't hear my Dad telling me to do [wash] the dishes or take out the trash, but I could hear him whispering about my upcoming birthday presents." Such children are not the only ones with such selective hearing, but such a problem, also known in the Bible as disobedience, also affects many Christians today.
As a disciple of God, you must always listen attentively to the voice of the Lord, because it is vital to the Christian life. Following Jesus genuinely demands non-selective hearing from Him. You may never hear His voice with your ears, but He does speak to you. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). He speaks via the Scriptures. So, you can listen to Him by studying His Word and obeying it totally.
QUOTE: Listen attentively to the voice of the Lord
CHALLENGE: Obey God's word always.
PRAYER: Merciful God, purge me of hardness of heart.