Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 24:1-9. Here is a link to this devotion – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2024&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years; then he turned and rebelled against him. The LORD sent against him bands of Chaldeans, bands of Arameans, bands of Moabites, and bands of Ammonites. So He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken through His servants the prophets. Surely at the command of the LORD it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the LORD would not forgive.” 2 Kings 24:1-5.
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“Surely”, we pay close attention to the sovereignty of the LORD and His exercise of justice upon “Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD”. Verses 2-4.
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
We tremble in the fear of the LORD. We do not rejoice in unrighteousness. 1 Corinthians 13:6.
“4 Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:4-5.
But, we rejoice that the LORD delights in exercising justice on earth. The LORD declares: “I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things”. See above Jeremiah 9:23-24.
“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.
4 His lightnings lit up the world;
The earth saw and trembled.
5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD,
At the presence of the LORD of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.” Psalm 97:1-6.
“Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11.
“7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.” Psalm 91:7-9.
We also rejoice in the LORD’S lovingkindness to us.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.” Romans 5:8-9.
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.” Romans 9:22-24.
“10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:10-11.
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