2 Kings 7-8; Psalm 126; John 12

 July 9: Today’s reading has me thinking about the judgment of nations in Matthew 25:31-46. If it’s true on an individual level that those who offend little ones who believe in Jesus would be better off if drowned in the sea, (Matthew 18:6), what of the fate of national leadership that offends many, persuading them to become atheistic or idolatrous? That’s exactly what our nation’s leadership is doing right now: dredging up grievances in order to cause division so that they may gain greater power. The worst part of it is that in our form of government it is the people who will be held responsible, for we elect such leaders. It shows how easily we are deceived by smooth words.

2 Kings 7-8: The Northern Kingdom has lost its way so badly that they won’t even listen to a miracle-working prophet of God. Are we in similar straits today? Although no one works miracles, I think anyone could see that everyone was better off when more were closer to the Lord. I wonder if Elijah thought his showdown with the prophets of Ba’al would have a lasting effect. I certainly would have thought so. Yet here we are, say, 13 years later, and even the siege of Samaria and prediction of deliverance by God through a supernatural sound,  (2 Kings 7:6), doesn’t cause them to worship God and turn from their wickedness. It’s an indication that Israel doesn’t have much time left.

Psalm 126: What must it have been like to be among the returned captives from Babylon? This Psalm gives us some sense of it: they couldn’t really believe it; it was like a dream. I have to say, when Roe v. Wade was overturned, I had a feeling that could be described that way. I saw it as an answer to prayer. I knew it was the work of God. My reaction of overwhelming joy and uncontrollable tears showed me just how weak my faith had been that this awful signal of our debased state, this violent, torturous scourge on our nation, would be lifted. It’s not fully gone, of course. But more babies will live today than a month ago because of it.

John 12:1-26: The account of Lazarus’ resurrection forms the backdrop for the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. How many of the ones who believed on Jesus because of Lazarus (John 12:11) were persuaded by the religious leaders to cry, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him”? (John 19:15) 

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