Old Testament reading: 2 Kings 13-14
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). One cannot help but be moved by God’s love and longsuffering toward his people, even when they are ensnared in apostasy. Israel never departed from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Yet, after God delivered Jehoahaz into the hands of Syria, the text says Jehoahaz “pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him.” After providing a deliverer from Syria, Israel still did not repent of their apostasy or idolatry. Chpater 13 also brings us to the end of Elisha’s life, but certainly not his influence. In the midst of the illness that would take his life, he extends God’s mercy to Joash who, as many of us are prone to do, comes up short in his zeal to obey the word of the Lord. Elisha’s greatness and his influence continue to be presented before the people even after his death, as a man is brought back to life when his corpse touches Elisha’s bones.
New Testament reading: Acts 22-24
“For I long to see you” (Romans 1:11). Paul earnestly desired to visit Rome to encourage and edify the church there. His arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent trial set in motion the events leading to the fruition of Paul’s desire. Paul, got his wish, but I don’t believe that he had it in mind to travel to Rome as a prisoner of the government. God answers our prayers in a variety of ways. He may answer “yes” or “no.” He might also answer “wait.” I have found in some cases that “wait” means “no,” but allows me to exercise my 20/20 hindsight and be thankful I didn’t receive my request! In Paul’s case, God answered, “Yes, but in My way and not yours.” After the uproar in the temple, Paul makes several defenses of himself before the Roman authorities. In fact, there is a defense in each of the three chapters in today’s reading, with more to come. It is almost maddening to see the hardness of heart of those who hear Paul’s discourses. We are here reminded that not all hearts (people) are honest. However, we will soon see that God can work good even in what we perceive to be bad or less than ideal situations.
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