SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2预览

Top Takeaway from Liz Patton:

Maybe you grew up, like me, hearing your parents or teachers say, “You can tell a lot about a person by the company that they keep.”  Meaning...make wise choices for your friends because who you surround yourself with often determines what kind of a person you will become.

And today’s Scripture is a perfect example of this.  Jehoram was the son of Jehosaphat, who did right in the sight of God.  So it’s pretty safe to say that Jehoram grew up learning about the true knowledge of God from his father. But sadly, he did not follow in his father’s footsteps.

Why?  Because he chose to marry Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.  (Yep, that Jezebel).  So even though Jehorman was raised by a godly father, he quickly began copying the wicked ways of the kings of Israel, continuing the Ahab’s line of sin.  “And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Kings 8:18

Because Jehoram married into a family that worshiped false idols, sadly, he began to do the same thing.  He was negatively influenced by his wife and did many evil things, including even murdering his own brother (2 Chronicles 21:2-4).

But because of God’s great love for us, the story doesn’t end there.  As we continue reading in 2 Kings 8:19,

"Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, since he promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.”

Despite the king’s idolatry and wickedness, God was faithful.  This eternal promise would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus, who was the descendant of David, the light of the world, and a lamp to our feet! 

My greatest takeaway from today’s reading is that it is important who we surround ourselves with.  When we are involved in our local church and surrounded by a body of believers, we are sharpened and built up in our faith.  But not so that we can keep it to ourselves!  But rather so that we can go out and tell others about this hope that we have; this “promised lamp” and Light of the World!

Dear God, thank You for giving us a community of believers who will sharpen us and help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  If we don’t have a community that can do that for us, please lead us to one, Lord.  And thank You for giving us Jesus! May we have a boldness and courage to go out and share His light with others!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.