READING THE BOOK OF SECOND KINGS CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
When one reads about the terrible consequences of sin our heart is filled with fear and saddens by how much hurt can our sins cause to those around us.
Our favorite verse in 2 Kings Chapter 24 is:
At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it (2 Kings 24:10 NIV)
Lesson
Be aware of the consequences of our acts.
- If Jehoiakim would had served God, he would not have had to serve Nebuchadnezzar. This is also our dilemma today, if we serve God unconditionally, our blessings will be hundredfold here and for eternity. But if we serve Satan, we will suffer the consequences and eternal death.
- King Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned nearly 90 times in the Bible, he is the most mentioned pagan king in Scripture. God chooses him to fulfill the prophesies about the exile of the people of God because of their continuous disobedience.
- In verses 4 and 5 it is mentioned that this divine punishment was a result of the idolatrous behavior and the shedding of innocent blood during the reign of Manasseh. May God keep us from being the reason of suffering to our family members, or the church because of our irresponsible behavior towards our spiritual and moral life.
Prayer.
Dear forgiving heavenly father, Cover us with the mantle of your perfect forgiveness, keep us from falling into the sad consequences of Sin. May our conscience never hardens and prevent us from hearing the calls to repentance of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, Amen.