SWHW Bible Reading Plan: June 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Jessica Hottle:

Each passage in 2 Kings 21 and 22 begins with two young boys being announced as kings:

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, and made a wooden image, as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.” 2 Kings 21:1-3

“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” 2 Kings 22:1-3

Each passage shares the lineage of where these kings came from and how they ruled according to their lineage. We are on this side of the cross where we get Jesus. We now have reconciliation through Jesus’ blood on the cross, with God. 

We often limit ourselves because of our past, or we blame our past, which hinders our future. Instead, our past becomes a part of our witness, a testimony. We get to choose how we show up with God today, in obedience. 

God is our Father now. We are in His lineage as He calls us His children. Our identity and worth are rooted deep in Him since the beginning of time. You no longer have to strive, prove, or work yourself to exhaustion to prove you are worthy. Your worth is placed in a Person. You get to rewrite a new story about the lineage you carry and the generations to come. 

Remember, regardless of your past, your past has nothing to do with your future in Christ. Jesus has taken care of your future. 

Father, show me what I can’t see in me. Show me the way You see me through Your Word. What story have You written on my heart to speak to the next generation? I choose Your story over the world’s story of me. I love You, Amen!