Topic: Losing Ground [Sunday July 9, 2017]
Text: 2 Kings 16:1-9
Key Verse: “At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day” (2 Kings 16:6).
Every society has its crop of deviants, even where the best of rules and regulations are installed. Ahaz, the 11th king of Judah proved himself one of the worst kings of the land. Despite having many good examples, both immediately in his father Jotham and historically in his ancestor David, he rejected these godly examples and walked in his own way.
He multiplied sins and brought Judah into full-fledged idolatry. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, who worshiped before the calves made by Jeroboam. As if that was not enough, he made his sons to pass through the fire in open worship of Molech, contrary to God’s command. Ahaz, did not only reject the godly heritage of David, also, he embraced the ungodly ways of the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel. His impunity and lack of reverence for God led to monumental losses for Judah both geographically and politically.
They also became economically impoverished. The silver and the gold of the temple as well as those of the national treasury were given to the king of Assyria. Judah also came under the indirect rule of the king of Assyria. Eventually, Ahaz lost the promise of long life and peace. Ahaz lived a life that totally displeased the Lord and courted the anger and wrath of God. Biological attachment to a godly family or affiliation to a holy assembly without a personal encounter with the God of salvation cannot avail.
Those who are called by the name of the Lord, yet are full of their own ways and disregard the word of God or the gentle warnings of the Spirit will suffer loss, both here and in eternity, if they refuse to consider their ways and repent. Just like Ahaz and Judah, so is the lot of those who remain in hypocrisy, lust, extortion, pretence, lies, deception, greed etc. Examine yourself thoroughly today and repent, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
Thought for the day: Sin breeds slavery and eternal damnation.
Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 26-28
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
