Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

1 July 2024

Reading From II Kings 1-4

“One day Israel’s new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover.

But the angel of the Lord told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, “Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’” So Elijah went to deliver the message.”

–II Kings 1:2-4

     It shows where the heart of King Ahaziah was by his reaction to trouble.  His first inclination was not to consult the God of his own nation, but to inquire of the pagan priests of a false god.  Idolatry may seem unfamiliar to our modern eyes when we view it in its ancient context, but the sin that Israel habitually entangled itself is still causing destruction across the globe today. 

     Aside from the obvious forms of modern sculptures and objects worshipped by religions today, anything that we value more than God is a form of idolatry.  Many idols are not wrong in and of themselves, but the importance and precedence we place on it makes them so.  A good indication of what we truly value is who or what we turn to in times of distress and trouble.  God is to be the One we rely on.

“Lord, I pray that I would be reminded that You are my source.  You provide all that I need for life and godliness.  You have given me Your Word that I would be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  You have blessed me with a never ending source of love, power, strength, and spiritual gifts in the Presence of the Holy Spirit.  You provide for my spiritual and temporal needs.  You protect me from harm, You heal me from the inside out and bless me with hope in the promise of the resurrection.  You’ve given me my identity, community and destiny in You and Your eternal family.  Thank You God for who You are.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

 –Matthew 6:33