Week of November 29th, 2015 Devotional
Monday: “Only Eight Years Old” - 2 Kings 22:1-2
We are told in today’s scripture that Josiah was only eight years old when he became King. Imagine back to when you were eight years old, or think back to when your children or grandchildren were eight years old - are children this young fit to be King? Probably not. Except that Josiah was surrounded by Godly people who helped him rule.
It doesn’t matter if we are eight or eighty, we need to surround ourselves with Godly people who can hold us accountable and pray for us. I have three dear friends, located up and down the Eastern part of the Untied States. When I need someone to help me do what is right in the eye of the Lord, I contact them. If I need someone to pray for me, I contact them. They help me walk in the path of the Lord and I do the same thing for them.Now maybe you think that you can walk in the path of the Lord alone, but that is not how we were designed. Instead we were made to need each other. To need the body of Christ, no matter what our age or how long we have been on this journey.
Who are the people in your life who help you lead a Godly life? How do they do so? Who do you help on their Christian journey?
Prayer: God, all too often we try to be lone-rangers, pretending that it is just about us and you, all the while forgetting that you have given us brothers and sisters that we are on this journey with. Help us rely on each other Lord, just as young Josiah turned to others during his rule as King. Bring people into our lives that can point us to you. Amen.
Tuesday: “Money for the House of the Lord” -2 Kings 22: 3-7
Money. The topic that no one wants to talk about, yet is what makes ministry possible. When King Josiah reigned the people of Israel were in the midst of a building project at the temple making repairs. The people had collected money that Josiah sent via his secretary to pay the people making the repairs and for their materials.
Sometimes we would like to think that ministry can happen without money - and sometimes it can. We can love our neighbors in concrete ways and share the gospel of the Lord at times without any funding. But other times, like during the reign of Josiah, we find that we do need funds to repair the house of the Lord or to start a new ministry.
It is especially uncomfortable to think about money during the season of Advent when we find ourselves buying Christmas presents and more and more non-profits are calling us to support their very worthy causes. But today’s passage reminds us that we do need to talk about using our money for the sake of the mission and ministry of God, because all that we have is from God and thus is a gift to be used for God’s glory.
Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable talking about money? Why?
Tell of a time that you have used your money intentionally for God’s glory. What was that experience like?
Prayer: God who provides for us, you have given us all that we have, so we return a portion of what we have back to you. Sometimes it is needed to repair the space we worship in. Sometimes it is needed to fulfill the vision you have placed on our hearts. Help us to be faithful to always give first and foremost for your honor and glory. Amen.
Wednesday: “Found” - 2 Kings 22: 8
Have you ever lost something that you really treasured? Maybe a family heirloom or a special picture? The people of Israel had misplaced something that was dear to them - the Book of the Law, also known as the Book of the Covenant. The writings that reminded them who they are, where they had come from, and the covenant they had made with God that propelled them forward.
We all need things in our life that reminds us who we are and whose we are. That remind us where we belong. But when we cannot have those tangible things with us, we need to have those marks written on our hearts. For the people of Israel that came in the form of memorizing the Book of the Law. For us it comes in retelling again and again the stories of the faith - like the Christmas story - to remind us that we are God’s children. For its not until we can answer the questions of who we are and whose we are that we can ask who God yearns for us to be.
What are some of the ways that you remember the stories of the faith?
How do you remember who you are and whose you are?
Prayer: Almighty God, all too often we forget that we are yours. We forget that you have claimed us as your own because we forget our story - the story of our faith, the creeds that remind us what we believe. We neglect the relationships that speak to us of your grace and truth. Forgive us, Lord, and reminds us anew who we are and whose we are.
Thursday: “First Things First” - 2 Kings 22: 9-10
But notice, even though he would have known how wonderful this book was and what celebration would ensue now that it was found, Shaphan didn’t tell the thing about it first in his report. Maybe he just wanted to the tell the King that the task he was sent on was complete, but either way Shaphan, didn’t put first things first - he put the task he was given before God’s ultimate purpose for him being there.
How often have we done something similar? Getting so caught up in the details of living that we forget why we are here on earth - to proclaim God’s glory - or miss the opportunities that God is giving us. Let us claim anew the eyes of God - looking to seize the Kingdom opportunities that we are given.
How can you remind yourself to put first things first instead of getting overwhelmed by the details?
Prayer: O God, you invite us into this story that is bigger that ourselves and into your mission! What a gift! But, O God, how we sometimes neglect that gift - looking instead to get a task accomplished instead of seeing and seizing the opportunity that you are trying to give us. Give us new eyes in our hearts, O Lord. Amen.
Friday: “Renewing the Covenant” - 2 Kings 23: 1-3
While Shaphan may have failed to put first things first, Josiah did not. He called together the prophets and priests and they read aloud together from the lost Book of the Law. No matter how well you may have memorized something there is always power in hearing it spoken aloud again. Then after hearing the power of the spoken Word, read anew, the people renewed their covenant.
We all have covenants we live by. But sometimes when we are going about our daily lives we forget about them. Covenants with God. With our families. Covenants about what it means to be a member of a church. But when we renew these covenants we put them back in right-perspective, right in front of us so we cannot forget.
What are some of the covenants in your life and what do these covenants mean to you?
What reminders do you have of these covenants?
How can you renew these covenants to put them in a new perspective?
Prayer: God of covenant, just as we can sometimes forget our identity as your children, we can also sometimes forget the covenants you have given us to live by, that which binds us to you and to each other. During this season of Advent, we repent, and with anticipation, we start anew with you and others, Lord. Thank you for helping us see things differently during this season. Renew us. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray over this coming week’s text and topic as we continue our Preparing our Hearts sermon series: “Hearing the Cries of God” - Isaiah 40:1-11
Family Activity: During this Advent season think of one thing you can do each week as a family to help you prepare your hearts for the coming of Jesus. Maybe its having devotions together and lighting the Advent candles or shopping for someone in need or working to help a neighbor. Try doing one different thing each week together, discussing what the experience was like and what it taught you about the coming Christ.
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