Today’s reading: 2 Kings 13:1-9

2 Kings 13 brings us back to the kings of Israel and the family line of Jehu. Jehu’s son Jehoahaz is now king and, as we’ve seen so many times before, he did evil and enticed the people to do the same. God is angry with Jehoahaz and the people of Israel and gives them into the hand of Hazael and Syria (Remember Elisha’s words to Hazael in 2 Kings 8:12–that Hazael would do evil acts to Israel? It’s happening here.). With the situation severe, a desperate Jehoahaz hits rock bottom and humbly turns to God. “Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them” (2 Kings 13:4). What stood out prominently to me in this passage was how God responded to Jehoahaz despite his prior sinfulness and disregard for God. What a beautiful demonstration of God’s mercy and grace.

What does this passage reveal about God’s love and His desire to have a relationship with us? What encouragement do you draw from the way God listens and responds to Jehoahaz? Tami

Source: Tami’s Blog