VERSE: 2 Kings 16:8–Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and sent a present to the king of Assyria. TRUTH: King Ahaz was in trouble and being besieged from all sides. He decided to ask for help. Instead of coming to God for help, he worked a deal on his own with the nation of Assyria. Ahaz then proceeded to steal from God in order to pay for his deal. When we face trouble, do we come to God or try to “negotiate” a deal on our own? No matter what deal we try…

VERSE: 2 Kings 15:10–Then Shallum the son of Jabeth conspired against him and struck him before the people and killed him, and reigned in his place. TRUTH:The kings of Israel had ll been evil and had led the people to do evil for so many generations that the country began to reap the “reward” for such evil. There began to be uprising after uprising and very few kings reigned for long. Most of them died by violent means as another person determined to take the throne. If we are promoting evil and teaching evil, eventually we will have people who have no conscience and just go and take whatever they…

VERSE: 2 Kings 14:10–“You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?” TRUTH: The new king of Judah, Amaziah, had just won a battle against the nation of Edom. Now he was trying to pick a fight with Israel. The king of Israel warned him to leave well enough alone, but Amaziah wouldn’t listen. They went to battle and Israel defeated Judah and killed Amaziah. Do we seek after conflict just to boost our own self-image? Are we overly proud and confident about ourselves?…

VERSE: 2 Kings 13:5–The Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans; and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly. TRUTH: Even when the people of Israel were not listening to God, He was still listening to them. He still cared for their needs and raised up people to deliver them. God will still be God even if we don’t acknowledge His Lordship. But, we then miss out on the blessings and the praise that we could have shared with Him if we did acknowledge Him. RESPONSE: Lord, I praise You for all You have done. I acknowledge Your Lordship…

VERSE: 2 Kings 12:15–Moreover they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for the dealt faithfully. TRUTH: As business people who follow Jesus Christ, are we faithful with how we administer our business? Do we use our resourcess with integrity when it comes to our personal items? These people were so trustworthy, they didn’t need to be tracked and followed. Do we have the same reputation? RESPONSE: Lord, I pray You will direct my use of money and all the other resources You’ve allowed me to have. I want my actions and dealings to…

VERSE: 2 Kings 11:21–Joash was seven years old when he became king. TRUTH: Age is one of the characteristics that we immediately notice when we see someone. Yet, it is not a determining factor to God when He chooses to use people. Do we limit ourselves because of age? Do we assume that before a certain age or after a certain age we are not useful to God? God has a plan and a purpose for all of us, no matter our age. What matters is our willingness to be obedient to Him. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will help me to see past the physical limitations and help me to just be…

VERSE: 2 Kings 10:28-29–Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel. However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan. TRUTH: Jehu was thorough. He destroyed all the family of Ahab, the believers and priests who followed the false god Baal, and everyone associated with or connected to them. He did just what God had told him to do, but only in that one area. Jehu did not worship God. He followed God’s commands when they lined up with his own desires and plans, but…

VERSE: 2 Kings 9:7–“You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel.” TRUTH: The evil that is done by people is not forgotten by God. He sees all and remembers all and all will be brought to judgment for their actions. This is both a hope and a warning. We can take hope in the knowledge that God will avenge the evil done against His Name. We also must be warned that God sees and remembers the evil that we all do and only…

VERSE: 2 Kings 8:4–Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things that Elisha has done.” TRUTH: God is a God of details and timing. God knew that Gehazi was going to be there and the king would ask this question. What better time would there be than right then to have the living proof of one of these miracles walk in? When the woman and her son came in, the king already knew their story and was willing to give them exactly what they requested. Do we trust God to take care of the little…