How smugly we can read the Old Testament! When the Israelites ask Aaron to make a god for them because Moses was taking too long on Mt. Sinai, we condemn them. When they grumble about manna, manna, and more manna, demanding meat, we call them ingrates. When King Ahaziah keeps doing the same thing, expecting a different result, we view him as a poster child for insanity. But the Bible is a mirror. The unflattering portraits in the Old Testament depict us just as much as the ancient people named. Holy Spirit, be our tutor as we read 2 Kings and every part of the Bible. Show us the truth about ourselves, even though it’s embarrassing and painful. Humble us.

Pastor Dave stressed that one question we should keep constantly before us as we study the Old Testament is, what do we learn about God? And one primary thing we learn about Him from this week’s passage is that He is not willing to be the “co-lord” of our lives, sharing lordship with a little-g false god. Let’s not trust ourselves to decide if we dishonor God by treating Him in that way; it’s too easy to deceive ourselves. Instead, let’s take time this week to enter His presence in prayer and ask Him, do I do that? When I seek comfort, as King Ahaziah did, and Your word doesn’t tell me what I want to hear, do I turn to something else? Do I vacillate between You, God, and the substitute gods so common in my world? Lay aside your rationalizations, listen, and repent.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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