2 kings 15:1-4 - In
the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son
of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he became king,
and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah;
she was from Jerusalem. He did what was
right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had
done. The high places, however, were not
removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
King after king in Israel was allowed to reign…be killed or assassinated
by their successor…and be replaced be another evil king. The kingdom of Israel declined and declined
as each evil king took his turn at trying to control what was God’s. God
allowed evil to destroy evil…and the people to fall further into sin as each
king encouraged the worship of other gods.
King Azariah of Judah ….tried to be good….tried to do what
was right in God’s eyes. But even his eyes and heart for God failed to see into
the hills where idol worship still existed.
And because he failed to purge this sin from Israel…God allowed him to
be afflicted with leprosy. He was banned
to live in a house by himself…while his son sat on the throne and relayed his father’s
orders to the kingdom.
Good is just not good enough…because good does not buy us
salvation. Salvation is given as a gift
to those who ask for God to come rule in their hearts. God’s love and mercy is showered on us the
very minute we ask him into our heart…so that we want to do nothing else but
please him so he can complete his work in us.
The gift he gives us is only available because Jesus came
and paid the last blood sacrifice that would ever be needed again…when he gave
his life willingly on that cross so long ago.
He conquered death…and rose from the grave to walk with his disciples
and give them directions for the season of time we continue to wait on his
return. That glorious day when all shall
watch him ride the clouds down to meet all of those who have admitted that we
will never be good enough on our own.
Jesus will open his arms to those of us that have admitted we need his
help…to those of us that have asked him to be our savior.
Father…I thank you for the precious gift you gave me in your
son. I thank you that you reminded me
today that I could never earn your love by being good. Help me to completely surrender my will and heart
to you...open my eyes to see the high places that satan has hidden away from my
view….so I can follow you completely to the job you put me here to do. Amen.
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