Daily D – 2 Kings 17:12-15
2 Kings 17:12-15 They served idols, although the Lord had told them, “You must not do this.” Still, the Lord warned Israel and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commands and statutes according to the whole law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen. Instead they became obstinate like their ancestors who did not believe the Lord their God. They rejected his statutes and his covenant he had made with their ancestors and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves, following the surrounding nations the Lord had commanded them not to imitate. (CSB)
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What is true freedom? Some say it is the ability to choose what we want to do when we want to do it. This all too often leads people into worthless pursuits and activities. The verses above provide a rather harsh bottom-line outcome.
They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves, . . .
There is an alternative ending to our stories. Psalm 105:4 provides the pathway:
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
Psalms 105:4 CSB
Since we become like what we seek, seek our good and gracious, powerful and generous God. We will never become gods, but we can become godly, or like God in many respects.
There was something about Jesus that led accomplished businessmen and leading women to drop everything and follow him. Children ran to him. The hopeless and helpless clung to him.
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like him, the more beautiful and wonderful our lives become.
There is one caveat we must consider. Some Jesus followers are awfully cranky. Others are extremely bossy. Jesus was neither cranky nor bossy. Something is missing in those follower’s lives. Here is what we should become as we spend more time with Jesus:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22-26 CSB
More Jesus, more love.
More Jesus, more joy.
More Jesus, more peace.
More Jesus, more patience.
More Jesus, more kindness.
More Jesus, more goodness.
More Jesus, more faithfulness.
More Jesus, more gentleness.
More Jesus, more self-control.
More Jesus, no degrading desires and behaviors.
More Jesus, more clear direction and purpose.
More Jesus, less cranky and bossy behaviors.
More Jesus, please.
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I will seek more Jesus.
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Our Father, empower us to live lives of true freedom and goodness. Make us the kinds of people other people love, trust, and respect. Make us joyful and peaceful. May your full effect have its way in our lives. Amen.
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