Costs Of Disobedience
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Kings 16; 17 and Psalm 104:1-9 (NIV)
(Joyce Lo, SGM Core Team Member)
READ:
2 Kings 16; 17 and Psalm 104:1-9 (NLT)
OBSERVE:
2 Kings 16 tells of the spiritual decline of Judah under King Ahaz, despite him having so many good examples before him. He “followed the example of the kings of Israel, even sacrificing his own son in the fire.” 2 Kings 16:3 (NLT). As a result, he caused both the High Priest and the nation of Judah to be corrupted in their walk with God, causing the whole nation to suffer. He engaged in pagan worship and rebelled against God’s command by assuming the role of a priest in the pagan sacrifice which God forbade (2 King 16:12-16, Numbers 18:7, 2 Chronicles 26:16-20), with no fear of God.
2 Kings 17 concludes the sad history of Northern Israel under the last king of Israel, King Hoshea. He also did evil in the sight of God. No matter how many times God sent His warnings and gave them opportunities to repent, they continued in their disobedience. Hence, King Hoshea and the rebellious Jews were destroyed under the judgement of God and this stiff-necked generation (2 King 17:14) ended up in destruction.
APPLY:
2 Kings 16-17 reminds me not to fall into sins like 1) disobedience, 2) unrepentance, and 3) wilful rebellion that corrupt my relationship with God. Most of the time, we do not realise how subtle but quickly we can conform to this world in our thinking and habits; not realising what we do may not be pleasing to God. This is why I am grateful to have a community of like-minded Christian friends and colleagues to journey together with, and my husband who always reminds me of who I am in Christ.
DO:
I will seek to grow in Christ by trusting and obeying Him (Proverbs 3:5-6, Acts 5:29), and be led into His righteousness (James 2:23, Romans 6:16). Many old timers will remember the classic hymn – “trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. I will anchor myself on this foundational truth and live my life in a manner that is worthy of His calling (Ephesians 4:1).
PRAY:
Dear Father God, draw me close to You daily, never let me go. Purify my heart so that I can see You and walk in Your will. Help me to trust and obey even in difficult times, knowing that You are always with me; Your plans are always good for me. I submit to You daily. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
