Chapter 1
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight.” 2 Kings 1:13 – In Proverbs 15:1 we see that, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” We see that truth being played out so clearly in our chapter today. Prior to this third captain, two others came and commanded harshly what the third captain spoke gently. What we also see is that the third captain got a very different response from God and Elijah. You too will get a different response from people if you begin speaking to others gently rather than harshly. Maybe it’s the certain vocabulary that shouldn’t be a part of your talk that needs to change or possibly just the tone of how you say what you say. Either way, if harsh words stirs up anger and we are called by God to love one another and live at peace with one another then maybe a change in our speech needs to talk place. While you can’t always control situations, you can control the words you say and how you say them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.” 2 Kings 1:13-14 – How we approach God matters as to the result we’ll see. The first two groups of soldiers came harshly and their lives ended quickly. The last group came humbly and found their lives saved. God wants us to come to Him always. Even when we’re upset, confused, even angry with Him. He’s big enough to handle all that. We though need to remember who God is and the position He has in our life. Rather than coming and demanding of God, let’s humbly approach Him, acknowledging He is Lord of all, remembering He deeply loves us, and bring our concerns to Him. Your pride and anger won’t move Him, your humility and love will. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1024
He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?” They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” 2 Kings 1:7-8 – Be known to those who are lost. Here the king’s men run into Elijah and are sent back to the king with a message. While the men must not have recognized Elijah, when given the description, the king knew quickly would sent his men back to him. How well do those around you that don’t follow Jesus know you? Do they know you believe in Jesus? Do they know you love them? Do they know that you have a great message to share with them? Do they know you? Or maybe an even better question, do you know them? Invest time today in getting to know those around you who aren’t followers of Jesus. Then through that pursuit of getting to know them, make it clear who you are in Jesus and the precious message of salvation you have for them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2207
Chapter 2
And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. “And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” 2 Kings 2:16-18 – When we choose to not listen to wise advice we can end up wasting so much time and energy in a direction that gets us no where. When we know the advice is good our reaction to it should be to follow it. So how do we know it’s good? If it’s coming from someone who loves you and truly wants the best for you in life this a good indication that this advice is some to listen to. Also if the advice comes from scripture, that should be a sure thing for us to follow because we know it’s coming from a God that loves us and wants the best for us. While true it can be good to question what people say and test things out for yourself sometimes, if the advice is coming from a trustworthy source like scripture, the questions and testing ourselves more likely will just be a waste of your time. Be wise and listen to wise advice. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. 2 Kings 2:14 – We must continue moving forward. Even after we’ve lost something precious to us, we must keep moving forward. Elisha just lost his master and was overwhelmed by the loss and the new found responsibility resting on his shoulders. As we see though in the next few verses, in the midst of all that, there were people dying who needed rescuing. If Elisha never crossed back over the water and allowed his grief to hold him back, the people would have continued to die from bad water. He didn’t hold back but moved forward and saw first hand how God could use him. Don’t allow your grief either to be what holds you back from moving forward. What lies ahead is God using you to bring life to people if you’re willing to let your life be used for that purpose. In order for that to take place, you have to keep moving. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1025
Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. 2 Kings 2:14 – Elijah is gone and now all Elisha has is himself and Elijah’s cloak. Coming back to the river the two crossed earlier he cried out the question on his heart after losing his master…where is the Lord? Where is the Lord in all my heartbreak and loss and confusion? And with a smack of the cloak in the water, Elisha got his answer. Where is the Lord? Still beside you. Yes for Elisha his master was gone and now he was to take on the new position of God’s prophet in the land. He was sad, scared, and confused. Yet in all that God made sure Elisha knew that just like He was with Elijah, He’ll be with him too. Know in your story so many things may be changing. People may no longer be a part of your story, sources of security may be gone, and feelings of fear and confusion are overwhelming your mind as a result. Where is the Lord then in all this? Still beside you. Even though so many other things have changed, His position by your side hasn’t. Lean into your walk with Him for He is and will always remain by your side. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2208
Chapter 3
This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand. 2 Kings 3:18 – This story in chapter three reminds me so much of the story of when Jesus calms the storm. In both cases there is a risk of death for God’s people, yet also in both cases you see a lack of faith from them as well. They become overwhelmed with grief and worry, thinking they’re going to die. Then God steps in a reassures them that what they are worrying about isn’t a problem to Him. In fact as this verse states, “this is a light thing in the sight of the Lord.” We have to remember that the things we worry about the most are things that God is not worrying at all about. Not because He doesn’t care about you and your situation, but because He knows His power and knows dealing with that worry of yours is something simple for Him. This is why we’re called to walk by faith. Know that God is able to handle what you’re worrying about. You just need to trust Him and continue your devotion to Him even in the middle of the worry-filled situation. Your worry is a light thing to our great God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
And Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Then one of the king of Israel’s servants answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. 2 Kings 3:11-12 – Let your presence be known and let it be known who you stand for. Even within the group that weren’t following God, they knew who Elisha was and who he believed in. Is that how it is within the groups you’re around. Like on the team you’re apart of do they know you follow Jesus? How about at work or in your neighborhood? Those we are around shouldn’t struggle to figure out who we follow. If you feel like most people aren’t aware you follow Jesus, why do you think that is? What’s something you could have been doing to help them know but haven’t? Never be ashamed of Jesus. While those you’re around may say they don’t need Jesus, they do, and you need to be sure they know you’re here to help them meet Him when they realize their need for Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1026
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it. 2 Kings 3:2-3 – Awhile back I wrote this note next to this passage…”Repentance is not just stopping the sins you lose with, but also stopping the sins you think you gain by doing.” Here Jeroram, the king of Israel spoken of here, does set aside some of the sinful things his parents did, but chose to still cling to other sinful things. We too can be faithful in setting aside certain sinful things. Maybe they are obviously not helpful to us and it even makes sense to have those sort of things out of our story. Yet, some sinful things can seem to benefit us and those are harder to let go of. Mindsets we think are protecting us, bitterness towards someone because we think it’s making us feel better, and lust because it’s offering physical pleasure are just a few examples of sins we can keep around because we believe we’re gaining someone by clinging to them still. Yet, we’re gaining nothing. Holding onto any sin will only lead us further from the level of intimacy with the Father we could be having and further from where we need to be in life. Turn then away from all sin, even the sin you believe is helping you, or at least isn’t hurting you. Your best life is a life free from sin and clinging to Jesus instead. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2209
Chapter 4
And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 2 Kings 4:2 – Often there will be a risk that we have to take in order for us to see the miracle we’re waiting on to come about. We see in this story the widow receiving from God an abundance of oil to sell to pay off her debts and live on, but in order to see the abundance there was the risk of pouring out the only oil she had to live on. We too can find ourselves being asked to risk something in order to see God’s miracle come about. Maybe that risk will look like a sacrifice of grudge you thought you had to hold on to in order to see your family healed. Maybe it will look like a sacrificial gift to your church in order to see it grow. However the risk looks, often risks precede the miracles. So if you’re right now praying for a miracle yet unwilling to risk whatever it is God is leading you to risk, maybe it’s not God that’s holding back the miracle…maybe you are. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. He said, “Then bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot and said, “Pour some out for the men, that they may eat.” And there was no harm in the pot. 2 Kings 4:40-41 – What once held death no longer does because of God. Not only with this story but earlier in the chapter with the boy being brought back to life we see this truth. What was once dead and was filled with death no longer is that way because of the life God brings. If you have a relationship with Christ then this is your story as well. Death no longer is within you and is not your story. Because of Jesus, life is in you and life is your story. You have been brought out of death and into life. Remember though this isn’t the story for everyone you know. They still are in death waiting for life. Who can you speak with about this life they can have and how can you begin that process today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1027
She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:7 – A widow who had lost so much was about to lose her two sons to the creditors. After coming to Elisha she experienced a miracle in her home that allowed her to pay of all her debts and even have money leftover to live on. First see that God is open to you coming to Him with your needs. What though I want to focus on is the leftover money after the debts were paid off. God takes care of our needs today but He also provides for our needs of tomorrow. He isn’t a Heavenly Father that holds back blessings because He is trying to save some for Himself. He has everything and provides for His children out of that abundance generously. He’s thinking about your needs today but He also wants to take care of your future needs too. This is our God. So never fear coming to Him with your needs. He finds pleasure in providing for our needs. And don’t be surprised if in the blessing there is leftover. He knows your needs of tomorrow and also calls us to be his hands providing for the needs of others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2210
Chapter 5
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Kings5:1 – He didn’t let his drawback hold him back. We see Naaman carrying amazing titles such as commander and great and mighty man of valor. At the same time he carries the label “leper” as well. Many when carrying a label like that could use that as their excuse to not press forward, that though wasn’t Naaman’s story. I hope that’s not your story either. Each of us carry labels that we could use as our excuse to not press forward with the mission. Too young, too old, not experienced enough, not good enough, not knowledgeable of scripture. The list of labels could go on, but the point has been made. Will you let the “drawback” you say you have in your life hold you back from what God has lead you to do? Let God define you and your capabilities, not the labels you or others have placed on you. He says through Him you’re more than able. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1028
But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13 – Something I’m seeing repeated in 1 and 2 Kings are individuals like Naaman’s servants. People who caused another person in the story to stop, think more clearly about the choices they were making, and stir them to make a step more in line with what the Lord was telling them to do. Naaman had just been offered his means of removing his leprosy, but the means didn’t make sense to him so he was going to just walk on. Thankfully his servants spoke up like they did otherwise he very well could have died a leper. Cherish the people in your life who make you think again about your choices. Yes, often in the moment they can seem like the most frustrating, difficult people ever, but they are the ones in our story we’re the most grateful for later on. If there is someone in your story who has in your past provoked you to rethink a choice and the end result was you now walking closer to Jesus, thank that person today. Like Naaman, you could have been walking in your “leprosy” until you died if it wasn’t for their willingness to speak up. Thank you Jesus for the people in our story who aren’t afraid to say what needs to be said. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2211
Chapter 6
He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 – How beautiful of a message is that! That in our battles we are not alone because we have God fighting with us. Yet what can blind us to the fact that the armies of God are fighting with us? Our worry. Our pride. Our fear. Take hold of this amazing promise that God is fighting for you yet also make sure that your “blinders” are in play. If worry is something in your story that keeps you from seeing God on your side be praying for trust and faith. If selfishness is what keeps you from seeing God working be praying for a selfless heart. Like Elijah did for his servant, be praying that your eyes will be opened past the fear and whatever else so you can see how God is fighting for you and is bigger than what’s in front of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 377
Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:6-7 – Let’s know certainly God is able to do miracles, but let’s never take them for granted. This chapter and the ones surrounding it are opening our eyes to just some of the miracles God can do. While we aren’t given in every case how the people who experienced the miracle reacted, let’s make sure we react with praise and thanksgiving when our miracles come. When what you’re praying for takes place, when God takes care of something needed, when someone comes to know Jesus as their Savior. Celebrate with thanksgiving rather than letting the miracle just be something we expect, or worse, something we deserve. Know God is going to take care of you and work within your story. Sometimes those ways will be simple, other times it will be miraculous. Either way respond with the loudest praise to Him you have for He deserves it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1029
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 – How open are your eyes today? Is what you’re seeing simply the enemy and his army and his strength? It’s very easy to see that, all you have to do is open your eyes to see the enemy’s presence around. Be willing to open your eyes a little further to see what is beyond and surround that enemy army. Like from our passage God’s forces surround that of our enemy and the strength with God’s armies far exceeds that of the enemy’s. Seeing this though takes effort. It’s takes time in the word, time asking for it in prayer; it takes time with God. Don’t be surprised then if seeing God’s strength and power in your story over the enemy is difficult to see if your time with Him is lacking. Experiencing God’s strength like this is deeply connected with your time in His presence. Find yourself with the Lord today and ask Him to open your eyes to His power. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2212
Chapter 7
Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king’s household.” 2 Kings 7:9 – We can find ourselves enjoying our blessings so much that we forget what we are called to do, invite others into that blessing. That’s exactly what’s happening in our passage. We have a city starving and this smaller group coming across an abandoned army campsite full of food and provisions. They are stuffing themselves with the goods when one stands up and says what we read in our verse. That today is a day of good news, but we are keeping it to ourselves. For us today is the day of good news. We have life, love, grace, and forgiveness in Jesus! Let’s enjoy that to the fullest, yet don’t forget that good news is for more than just you. Remember, your story is very much like this one here in scripture. You have found the life giving substance you needed and are able to fill yourself on it, but all around you are people dying not knowing the food they need is right here waiting for them. Share the news that what they have been searching for is right here in Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 378
Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” But he said, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” 2 Kings 7:2 – Answer honestly, how often are we really much different than the captain in similar situations? We may say how could he doubt God and what God can do after seeing such miracles as we’ve been reading about. But how often when faced with a new struggle do we find ourself worrying as if we’ve never seen God provide for us before? Do you believe that God can open the windows of Heaven for you? Do you believe that God knows your story and loves you to provide for you like you need? If so, why worry? It’s so much easier said than done to not worry, but remind yourself that God can open the windows of Heaven for you. He is taking care of things even when you aren’t aware of it. Trust that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1030
Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die.” 2 Kings 7:3-4 -This is what a life without any hope looks like and how a life without hopes moves. We see it within the way the lepers see their future and even within the lives of those within the previous chapter. We had mothers even eating their own children because of their severe lack of hope. While today our story may look so vastly different than that of what’s happening in 2 Kings, know around you today are people dealing with levels of hope like we see in our passages. They see their life as nothing, their future as black, and their today as just another reminder of their pain. So make your life with Jesus evident to all today. If you follow Jesus, make every effort to allow the joy and love of the Lord be genuinely seen in you. Remember the people in our story that are suffering like this aren’t needing any special word from you or any sort of hug from you or any gift from you. They need Jesus. Yes, all those other things we must be ready to offer as God directs, but what they first and foremost need is the Savior. Let then the saving, hope-giving God be seen within you by others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2213
Chapter 8
And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 2 Kings 8:5 – Was all that just coincidence or was God’s timing just perfect? That this woman who was gone for seven years just so happened to go talk to the king at the very time that Elisha’s servant was telling her miracle story to the king. She then asks the king for her land at the very moment the king is hearing about her story. Coincidence? I think not. I see God’s hand all over this. We also can see God’s hand all over our story too if we look. I understand that somethings at certain times look out of place in our story and we just don’t get why things happen like they do. Like for this woman to be commanded to leave her home for seven years, things don’t always make since. What we see though is if we will still follow God in the confusing times, He’ll take care of the piecing together of it all because His timing is perfect. Continue to trust that God knows what He is doing. I know waiting is hard, but there’s a reason the wait is here. God is working…trust that He really is working in your story right now. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 379
And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why does my lord weep?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel…” 2 Kings 8:11-12a – God knows our heart. He know the thoughts we have that no one else knows about. He even understands the motives behind what we do, even the things we do for Him. Know we can’t hide anything from God. We’re never going to sneak anything by Him without Him noticing. Let’s then allow this truth to be something we carry with us as we make decisions throughout our day today. For just because other people didn’t see you do it or think it, doesn’t mean it won’t have consequences. Live your life wholly holy, not just holy when people are looking. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1031
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 8:18 – As we have read through 1&2 Kings we’ve seen verses like these over and over as new kings come into power. What I want to point out though with this king was he wasn’t lacking examples to follow. His father-in-law was Ahab, a king who walked away from worship of God in every way possible. His father was Jehoshaphat, a king who remained steadfast in following God. This new king had examples of both choices, following God or not following God as a king. He had access to ask questions, read stories, and see firsthand the lives of kings who either follow God or not. His choice? Walking away from the Lord as king. That was his choice…what will be your choice? You’ve gotten the blessing of seeing both lifestyles and the end result of both; lifestyles of following God and not following God. Today, what sort of life then will you choose to follow the example of? Know God has made the choice to follow Him available to you and blesses the life of those who are faithful to Him. And if you are already walking this faithful path, be praying specifically today for a handful of people you know who aren’t on that path yet that they will change their steps. Joy, peace, and purpose are just a change of direction away for them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2214
Chapter 9
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” 2 Kings 9:22 – While the language may be different if we were to ask the question, Jehu has a strong point here. What peace can we truly have when our life is so full of flagrant sin. God promises His follower true peace inside their life, but how can we claim to be a follower of Him when we still have active sin in our life. It’s like saying you are on a diet and want the losing of weight all while eating a bag of Oreos. It’s contradicts itself! Granted, know I’m not saying you’ll never have peace until you completely rid yourself of sinful behavior. We do mess up in life and sin still after we accept Christ, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to not strive after living a life free of sin. Just because you know you may eat an Oreo sometime on your diet doesn’t mean it’s ok to always have a bag of Oreos in your backpack. Strive to separate yourself from the sin around so you can taste the peace from God instead. Sin and God don’t mix at all so if you want the results in your life that comes from living for God, strive to not mix sin into that life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 380
Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord, I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger. 2 Kings 9:3 – Sometimes our role is staying for the long haul of helping someone navigate this life of faith they have once they trust in Jesus. In fact, scripture leads us to stay and help young disciples mature in the faith. Here though we see an example of someone sharing the message of God, then leaving the rest to someone else. We need to be open to stepping aside if that’s what God leads. This is not us getting an excuse to not disciple people, this is us being humble enough to say I may not be the right person to lead you so I’m going to let someone else have that role. I’m not sure how this message may play a role in your story, but just be willing to step aside if God says to step aside. The end goal is people following Jesus more, not you having the accolades. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1032
And when Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?” 2 Kings 9:22 – It’s far too easy to simply read this chapter and neglect the reality of what was happening in this season for God’s people. We have kings being assassinated, a queen being murdered and eaten by dogs, and we have a new king taking the throne. If something like this happened today it would be on worldwide news! Yet what Jehu, this new king, says in our passage reveals why the land found itself in such a season. No peace could be found as long as their sin remained. The sins of the people during this time of Israel’s history was truly one of the worst departures from God the nation ever experienced. What we see God pointing out through all this is that when sin is actively pursued peace cannot be found. So how are you seeing that truth play out in your story? Is there some sin you are not setting aside and as a result are you noticing a lack of peace? Are you noticing more levels of peace in your story because you are choosing to let go of sin? Know sin is your enemy to your peace, but intimacy with the Father is your answer to peace. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2215
Chapter 10
Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. 2 Kings 10:28-29 – True repentance comes with a complete turning away from the sin and walking in a new direction of following God. What we see in Jehu’s life is something we often see happening even in our own stories. We let go of most of the sins we used to find ourselves in, trashing them and never going back. Yet we hold on to one or two things, never letting go, and never admitting these are something that shouldn’t be still a part of our story. While the temptation to continue holding on and entertaining those sinful behaviors is strong, remember that Christ died for you to be free from those things. He’s calling us to turn away from all the sin that entangles us. Cutting these sinful behaviors out of your life isn’t always quick and easy, but this is what repentance is all about; changing to walk in a new direction and not looking back. Know that Christ not only wants to challenge us to live a life free of sin, but He wants to lead us into that life. Meaning He’s not waiting at some imaginary finish line waiting for you to get your act together, He’s walking this journey right beside you wanting to strengthen your every step. That’s how much He wants your life to be free. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 381
But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin. 2 Kings 10:31 – When Jesus laid down His entire life for us on the cross do you think He desired us to give only part of our heart into following Him? No, Jesus gave it all and we need to give Him our all. Jehu was faithful, but God didn’t have his heart fully. Parts of himself were still be offered to other things. How fully does God have you? Is it fully or is there a part that you something else has? God desires you, the whole you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1033
Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. 2 Kings 10:28 – How easy would it be to wipe out your god? True, the process to “wipe out Baal” took tricks, a massive gathering, a slaughter of many people, and a destroying of a temple, but the end result? The worship of Baal was gone from the land for this time. Know if in your story anything other than Jesus is your god it can be wiped from your life just like we saw play out in our passage. If a dream career is what your life is all about, a simple no or a broken bone could wipe that away. If money is your god, one unstoppable, nature disaster could take all you have from you. Do you really want to trust a god that can be wiped out like this? Know Jesus can’t be wiped out. No darkness can overtake Him and not problem is to heavy for Him. Trust in Jesus so you have a God that you can count on showing up when you need Him rather than fearing if the pressure crushed the one you were trusting in. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2216
Chapter 11
Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. 2 Kings 11:21 – We need to stop seeing age as a hindrance to God. Jehoash was seven when he became king. Moses was 80 when he began to lead the people out of Egypt. God brought hope to the world through baby Jesus being born. Age isn’t a problem to God some wherever you land on the timeline know you’re still useable to God. What we must be willing to do is not be the hinderance ourselves to God wanting to work through us or work through someone else. While our age doesn’t stop God, our lack of faith that God can use someone of our age can. We tell ourselves we’re useless to God right now and that’s what we’ll get. We can also speak over someone telling them they are too young or too old for God to use them. That too can put a halt to what God is doing through them because they now see themselves as useless to God anymore. Trust that God is bigger than an age. If a teenage feels called to step up and lead, give them a chance. If a senior adult feels called to start a new ministry, give them a chance. We must stop limiting God and all that starts with telling yourself that God can use you too no matter what age you are. So what is God leading you to do? I love you, but Jesus loves you more -Mac – Daily DEVO 382
And the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house on behalf of the king. 2 Kings 11:11 – Often those young in the faith aren’t fully ready yet to step into all that God has planned for them. In those times, we need to be willing to stand by them, guard them, and support them till they are ready. Joash was to be king, but he was also 7 years old. He needed protection and guidance to fully be able to step into the plans God had for Him. How can you then today lean into the life of someone who is beginning their walk with God? How can you guide, protect, and support them? Train your heart to not overlook those young in the faith. You never know the role God has in store for them or what opposition they are facing. Invest in their future. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1034
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, that they should be the Lord’s people, and also between the king and the people. 2 Kings 11:17 – More drama over thrones is happening within this chapter. A mother, after hearing her son the king was killed, instead of mourning took this as a chance to claim the throne herself by seeking to kill her whole family. Thankfully a young prince was spared and hidden until the right time, but what we see is just more and more chaos because of sin. What was needed was someone to use their voice, use whatever power they had been given by God, to stand up for God and make it clear the right path to go. Finally, that’s what we see happen here in our verse. Despite the sinfulness all around and even though it would have been much easier to stay silent, Jehoiada stood up for the Lord. Will you? Maybe the chaos we see in these chapters isn’t exactly what’s happening in your home or workplace or relationship, but nevertheless sin is still there and may even be reigning in power. Will you stand, speak, and use the gifts God has blessed you with to stand in the way of the enemy? Our world needs followers of Jesus, living as Jesus lived, standing in the way of those following the enemy to guide them to Jesus. Stand up for Jesus and stand in the way of the enemy having any more victory in the lives of those you love. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2217
Chapter 12
And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 2 Kings 12:2 – When I hear someone say they don’t need to come to church to worship Jesus, my heart breaks that they think this way. Of course God can be worshiped and experienced outside the walls of a church, but what we see in this passage is such an amazing reason of many reasons why going to church is so key to our walk with God. We see Jehoash did right with God, but why is that so? Because he had someone instructing and disciplining him as to what it looks like to do right for God in one’s life. This shows so clearly that we need each other in our lives to know how to walk properly with God. We need each other speaking into us and we need to be speaking into other’s lives as well. Yet how is all that going to happen consistently if we refuse to be a part of a community of believers, taking our walk with God solo? From scripture we see this: we need to be a part of a church and our church needs us too. That’s the design God intended for us, to rely on what He is doing through the church for our growth in Him and for us to be a vessel in helping others in the church grow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 384
Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar on the right side as one entered the house of the Lord. And the priests who guarded the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. 2 Kings 12:9 – This chapter helps us remember how the church is to be funded and how changes begins in the church. You. It is each person stepping up and playing their part. The house was built by the funds of those coming to worship and giving what they could to the project. What’s the project at your church? Is it a new building? Is it a more outreach-minded congregation? Is it a culture of caring more for those in need? What needs to be worked on within your church? Remind yourself the change begins with your faithfulness to follow what God is leading you to do. True, it’s not all on you, others will have to step up as well. You might have to be brave enough though to take the first step. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1035
In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 2 Kings 12:1-2 – This little 7 year old became king, lasted 40 years, and led a nation to God in ways kings of his past and others around him did not. What we see though in our passage is one massive reason why. Jehoash had a mentor. The priest Jehoiada instructed and guided the little king in all that he should do and how to be a king after God’s heart. This relationship helped the king grow and helped the nation turn back to God for a season. It’s so important to have people pouring into us…do you have this? I was taught by our previous senior pastor to have at least 3 of these sort of relationships. One older to speak into you, one in your season of life to do life with, and one younger where you can mentor. This Christmas maybe the best change for your story is bringing the right people into it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2218
Chapter 13
And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. 2 Kings 13:21 – First off, how crazy is that that story! Could you imagine seeing that all happen! Outside all that though, we really get a clear viewing through this story as to where our real power comes from. We’ve seen through these past few devotions how Elisha was being used to do so many miracles. We can begin to think that it was Elisha doing them and Elisha’s power bringing them about. Yet here we see the dead bones of Elisha. He is no longer there at all except his remains, yet there is power there enough to raise a man from the dead. How’s that possible? Because the power wasn’t of Elisha, the power was from God. While Elisha wasn’t there anymore in that body, God’s presence is everywhere and if He wanted to use a dead body to perform a miracle nothing is stopping Him. We see here it was God the whole time through Elisha bringing the power and with you it’s the same. The power you are looking for to change your life isn’t just within you it’s within God. God’s the one who can really change things at the level we’re praying for so begin leaning on Him for the change rather than just on yourself. If God can bring life using dead bones, what amazing possibilities do you think He could do through you? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 383
So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. 2 Kings 13:20-21- God brings life to things once dead and the ways He can do that pass our imagination. So don’t limit God by saying He can’t bring life to this situation or person because of “____.” In this story, a guy was thrown onto the grave of Elisha and he was brought back to life. God’s not limited by anything so let’s not limit Him in our prayers and expectations of Him coming through on His promises to us. Whatever you see that’s dead around you, God has the power to bring life to it. Trust that, expect that, pray for that, and follow His lead with that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1036
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from them. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Syria and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael. Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the Lord, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. 2 Kings 13:2-4 – I know this doesn’t seem much like a Christmas passage, but if you were here for our Christmas Eve services last night you might say this lines up perfectly with what we spoke on. See Christmas is about salvation being born. We who had turned away from God can turn to God and find rescue. Here in our passage the king was taking many steps away from the Lord, yet after seeing the turmoil that brought, turned to the Lord and the Lord listened to him. Today, know if your story has taken steps away from Jesus, just like the king in our story you can turn to Jesus today and find God waiting for you. This is the most precious gift anyone could offer, life with God and forgiveness of our sin! Thank you Jesus that we can at any point in our journey, no matter how far we’ve gotten, we can turn to you! Merry Christmas! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2219
Chapter 14
And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 2 Kings 14:3-4 – Before I give my point of this devotion, I want to make sure you understand you all are in a leadership position somehow. Possibly its a clear position of leadership like a pastor or boss, yet maybe it’s more like a parent, older sibling, a counseling friend, or a server at church. Even if none of those fit you, you have influence on the people around you meaning you do lead. So listen carefully to what I’m about to say, if you’re not leading people away from sin you’re not leading them right. Amaziah in our passage was following God (sort of), but the people he had influence over weren’t. He was walking towards God, but the people he was called to lead still were caught up in their sin. For us, we have to take part in the process of leading the people around us away from their bondage to sin. We can’t free them, but Jesus can, so we need to be leading them towards Him. If those following us aren’t finding themselves closer to Jesus, are we really following Jesus? Don’t stay content with seeing the people around you stuck in their sin. Check yourself to make sure your walk is right then start leading people to following Jesus. That’s what we’re here for. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 385
For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 2 Kings 14:26-27 – God has a plan and that plan is to save His people. His plan is going to take place whether we step up or not. We see that within this passage, no one was stepping up so God stepped in. God though is inviting us into the work He is doing. He wants us to experience the joy that comes with the work He is doing. While His plan isn’t dependent upon our participation to be completed, its big enough, and God’s good enough, for God to allow us a part in the plan if we will step up. God is moving right now in the lives of those around you, step up by stepping into their lives too and be a part of what God is doing in this world. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1037
You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you? 2 Kings 14:10 – This is part of the King of Israel’s response back to the King of Judah’s after he demanded there be war between the two nations. Judah’s king had grown an unhealthy confidence after winning a few battles and challenged Israel to war. What the King of Israel said should have been listened to, “Be content with your glory.” Refusing though to be content, the two go to war and the confidence of Judah’s king is crushed by a humiliating loss. Land and structures were destroyed, hostages taken, and precious things from the temple stolen, all because of unholy pride. Be wise then as followers of Jesus to handle all glory in the ways you are called…by giving it all to Him. Where things get confusing is when the follower takes the glory that should only be for the Father. Our passage is an example of what happens when we let pride lead and glory be our goal. Destruction of what’s precious and loss of what’s valuable. Our role then as followers of Jesus is to claim no glory for ourselves but to redirect all glory to Him and to live in such a way to bring Jesus glory. It’s His name that should be lifted high and remembered above all names, included our own. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2220
Chapter 15
He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 2 Kings 15:2 – Granted, what we see happening here in chapter 15 isn’t always the case when it comes to the kings in the Old Testament, but take a look at the length each of them reigned? We have one lasting 52 years and another king that’s talked about in this chapter lasting only a month. What’s the difference between these two other than their length of reign? One followed God and the other didn’t. We see God blessing the reign of the king who followed after Him and we see the turmoil in the life of the king who didn’t follow God. Of course there is more to both stories, and this isn’t always the case with these kings, but this chapter does bring out a point for us. God blesses those who follow Him while also allowing those who don’t follow Him to experience what they are chasing after. Does God still allow those who follow Him to go through pain? Of course, check out verse five for proof of that. What we see though is God giving to those who give their life to Him. Remember, those who chose to follow God never regret the end destination He leads them to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 386
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 2 Kings 15:1-3 – Don’t underestimate what God can do with a faithful life. While we don’t get many details on Azariah’s life, we do get some and we do see some of the effects. We see that he stayed faithful through struggles in his own life and faithful even when all the other kings around him weren’t. We see as a result of his faithfulness his own son became a faithful king after him. We don’t though read about if people followed God as a result of his faithfulness, what we do know is that due to his choice to follow God Judah had faithful leaders for a period of 68 years. That’s something God used. He also uses your faithful life to. While it may not seem like it today, don’t underestimate what God can do with your life when you day after day choose to continue following Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1038
Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down at Ibleam and put him to death and reigned in his place…Then Menahem the son of Gadi came up from Tirzah and came to Samaria, and he struck down Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria and put him to death and reigned in his place. …And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him with fifty men of the people of Gilead, and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king’s house with Argob and Arieh; he put him to death and reigned in his place….Then Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah and struck him down and put him to death and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 2 Kings15:10, 14, 25, 30 – In the time span of a few decades of history the nation of Israel went through king and king after king. And notice the reasoning for many of the changes of leadership. Conspiracy and murder. This was how their reign began and it existed through worship of false gods. What then can you and I take away from a study of this passage? How you begin your journey and how you walk on your journey will determine how you end your journey. For them, their start was unholy, their walk was unholy, and then their end was tragic. We too have started sinful and unholy and we too have begun our walk through life following sin. If nothing were to change, our end would be tragic. Forever separated from God in Hell. But we can make a change in our steps. We can choose to follow Jesus today. Each day is an opportunity to follow Jesus and each day we must make that choice to remain committed to Him. While yes, some of these stories from 2 Kings feels so disconnected from where we are today, the choice to do evil or what is right in God’s eyes is the same for us as it was from them. Choose the path of faithfulness to God and see your story find a faithful end. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2221
Chapter 16
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. 2 Kings 16:3 – Our enemy the devil is in total opposition to what God is doing. The idea to bring the world salvation and forgiveness is in stark contrast to the plan our enemy has for us in where he wants to burden us with guilt, shame, and death. What we see within this passage is just how opposite our enemy works compared to how God works. What we see here is a false god commanding the sacrificing of a son in order to be appeased, yet look how different that is from our God. Rather instead our God sacrificed His own Son for us so we could be made right with Him. We must remember how our enemy works, it’s in total contradiction to how God works. If God wants to bring you joy, but you’re overwhelmed with depression, where do you think that negativity is coming from. If God wants you to know you’re loved yet you’re feeling forgotten where is that discouragement coming from? The only way the enemy can have victory is by leading us away from God. Filter out the directions you’re getting, if it’s leading you in an opposite direction to that of how God would lead you know that’s your enemy giving you that direction. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 387
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” Ahaz also took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasures of the king’s house and sent a present to the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 16:7-8 – Compare what’s happening here with our relationship with God. Rather than us having to remind God we’re His sons and daughters He came to us first declaring that over us. Rather than us having to plead for His rescue, He began the process of our rescue the moment we needed it. Rather than us having to sacrifice all our valuables to sway Him, God sacrificed the most valuable thing to Him for us. Why are we so easily putting our trust in anything other than God to handle the struggles that come in life? He’s made it clear He is for us always. Today let’s seek to remember that truth. Let’s lean on Him the moment struggle arises rather than running to Him as a last resort when our strength and other resources have failed us. God’s here for you and is able to help you, lean into that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1039
And King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. And throw on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice, but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by. 2 Kings 16:15 – During a trip King Ahaz saw a wondrous looking altar and just had to have one for himself. He has one built just like it and replaces the altar of the Lord with this new altar that will be used for the worship of false gods. The king then tells what to do with the “old” altar. It will be put aside and I’ll use it when I need to get answers. What a dangerous way to handle the Lord and the Lord’s ways. Essentially what’s being said here is I’m setting God aside because He is in the way of how I want to worship and if I really get in a bind I’ll use that original altar to get the answers I need so I can go back to doing things how I want. For me, after reading this passage, I’m not filled with fury towards the king because I can’t help but see how I’ve done this in my own way. I’ve chosen paths that weren’t God’s but they sure helped me do what I wanted. I’ve chosen to handle things like prayer and scripture in ways like he used the altar, something I can go to in a bind but not something I use how I should. How then can we make sure we respect the Lord and handle things of the Lord more correctly in our story? How have we chosen our way over His way? Dwell on how you might answer these questions this morning and see how we can more faithfully follow Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2222
Chapter 17
So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. 2 Kings 17:33 – It’s sad just how easy it is to point out the wrong in someone else’s story while at the same time are blind to that fact we are messing us too, maybe even in the very same way. See we on the other side of this story can look at this passage and see the stupidity of their choice. How could they serve God and at the same time serve other false gods? Those two things are impossible to mix, but somehow they tried and found themselves very far away from where God wanted them. Yet how often are we doing the same, mixing two things that shouldn’t be mixed? Worry mixed with trusting God. Shame mixed with accepting God’s grace. Closed fists mixed with God’s loving open arms. Somehow we think we can manage mixing these polar opposite things together and be ok, just like the people in our story. Yet our end destination will be no different than theirs, away from where God wants us. If something is not of God stop trying to say it’s ok to keep in your life. It doesn’t mix and never should be mixed in your life. Remember what Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 388
And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. 2 Kings 17:9 – Now Israel at this time did blatant evil against God, so why would it say they did it in secret. This could mean a couple things, maybe that many were ashamed so they worshipped idols in secret, but they main thought is that the cloaked their idolatry with the pretense of worshipping God. They made it look like they were following God when in truth they weren’t. Is that ever our story? Do we ever go to church for the wrong reasons? Do we ever only pray because we want to get something from God? It’s easier to “cloak” our sinfulness with religious things than you think. Know God sees past the cloak always so let’s just be real with Him instead. Share with Him plainly why you’re praying, reading, or worshipping. He can handle it and He also can change our hearts when we let Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1040
Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.” So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the Lord. 2 Kings17:27-28 – Israel had been taken away from their land and peoples from other nations came and made their home within Israel. These people were not faithful to God so He sent lions to attack and kill many of them. How did their king handle all this? Our verses above. A God-fearing priest was to come, share, and teach these people how to follow their Lord properly. What a missionary opportunity and what a captive audience he would have had. What scripture is reminding me of today is how blessed of a missionary opportunity I’ve been given as well to share the ways of the Lord with others everyday. No, the people I’m talking with may not be dealing with lion attacks on the daily, but they are struggling in their own ways. I have people everyday in front of me. Maybe it’s at church or at Walmart or over social media, but I have an opportunity with each of them to share God’s love. Just like this priest I’ve been sent by God into a rich mission field with a purpose to help people know His ways. You have been too. So….we both are being sent. We both are being directed. We both have people in front of us each day that needs to hear about Jesus. What are we going to do about this? My hope is my answer isn’t just let that opportunity pass by and just enjoy doing my own thing. We have people in front of us who need Jesus and we know how to help them find Him. Let’s get after it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2223
Chapter 18
…They neither listened nor obeyed. 2 Kings 18:12b – There’s a big difference between head knowledge and application of what you are learning. The “they” here in our passage didn’t take time for either, they didn’t consume any knowledge of God’s commands nor put it into action. What I know is you at least are trying to consume, I know this because you are reading this devo. To get the most though out of God’s Word is to begin obeying it in your life by putting it into practice. If you’ve been in church for awhile you’ve heard your fair share of messages and bible readings. You’ve done the “listening” part talked about in the passage. Yet all this time you might still fill a little empty in life, like you’re missing something to all this. This is where the “obeyed” part comes in. You’ve heard to love those around you, so go do that. You’ve read to forgive, let that be your first reaction when someone hurts you. You’ve listened to the message to go serve the needy, go! It’s putting into action the message you’ve heard. Without this second step of obeying, you will end up feeling empty when it comes to God’s Word. God’s Word never was designed to be a head knowledge thing only, but a map on how to live our life. So challenge yourself in one way today to obey. Pray for someone, talk with someone, love on someone. Let God show you what a life filled by following Him is like. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 389
Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. 2 Kings 18:21 – When you lean on the wrong thing it actually ends up hurting you. It’s too easy to place our trust in the wrong thing for all the difficulties that come in life. Our strength, money, a person, our reputation. At first they seem stable and safe, and even can hold our weight for a little while, but they can’t support us through all the difficulties that life brings. We need something more stable to lean on and the only person who fits that is God. He is the only one we can lean on in life and never find it damaging us in the end. Identify what you’re leaning on. If it’s not God, don’t be deceived by the security you’re feeling now. It doesn’t last and it will give out on you eventually. Transfer that weight onto God and find the security you need. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1041
Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? 2 Kings 18:33-35 – Here a messenger from an enemy king who wanted to invade Judah brings bold statements and foolish questions. Multiple times he asked questions like the ones in our verses. His point? If all these other “gods” that everyone else trusted in couldn’t save them when we came against them, why would your God be any different? True, none of the false gods saved any of the people that trusted in them when this enemy came after them. That’s the problem with false gods…they’re false. Wrong, not real, unable to save. That’s not the case though with our God. He is true, real, and mighty to save as we’ll see in the next few chapters. Be careful then to have God as your Savior. Any other person or thing that we raise up as our savior in our storm will only provide for us like these false gods provided for those who trusted in them. The enemy will come, we’ll cry out to the false god, silence will be our answer, and the enemy will have victory over us. This just isn’t how it will work when we trust in the Lord. Find rescue in the Savior who can save. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2224
Chapter 19
Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. 2 Kings 19:14 – Where do you turn when bad news hits? We can crumble into a ball of worry or even choose to “man up” and rely on our own smarts and strength to get us through this troubling time. Whichever direction you lean as your reaction to bad news, we see Hezekiah turning a third direction. Rather than worry or to himself, Hezekiah turns to God with this troublesome matter and chooses to lean on God instead. He realizes worry isn’t going to fix the issue nor is he strong enough or smart enough himself to deal with the issue at hand. So he turns to someone who can handle it all and we can do the same when we’re hit with bad news. See worry never fixes the issue and while many times you can in your own power resolve issues in life, there will be times things are just too big for you to handle. This is when we need to follow Hezekiah’s approach by taking our issue to God and trusting in His power to resolve things. What God truly wants though is this not only to be your reaction to when bad times hit but also in your day to day life as well. Create a habit of turning to Him in the small things so you are familiar with the path to Him when big things hit. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 390
And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 2 Kings 19:30 – This was God’s desire for His people all along. In fact this is still God’s desire for His people. That those who follow Him settle deeply into their life with Him and grow roots that hold us steady through all life’s storms. Then to bear fruit upward. Meaning to bear the fruits of the spirt such as peace and joy in this world so the fruit of people coming to know God can take place. Know today God has a desire for you to flourish. We see that here with Judah, and we see this message throughout scripture speaking that over us. Lean then into Him. Grow roots deep in Him and branch out and bear fruit. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1042
As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 Kings 19:1 – I can’t help but want to choose passages like this to write on when I read them in scripture. A king, who is faced with a massive enemy and death of his people on the horizon, decides to take the wisest step anyone could ever take in that moment…a step towards the Lord for help. Not a step towards his sword, not a step towards his army commanders, a step towards the Lord. Make this step as well as, especially when the enemy is looming within your story. Your “swords,” the means of fighting against the enemy that maybe you’ve tried before and found no success with, aren’t going to suddenly bring you victory now. The reason why we often see those in the world that don’t know Jesus struggling so deeply is because the only thing that can help them they haven’t met yet. So for you if you’ve met the Lord and you are following Him, when the enemy comes follow the example of Hezekiah. Go to God for help. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2225
Chapter 20
Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. 2 Kings 20:5 – How beautiful are these words of God? God is leaning into Hezekiah’s weakness and sharing exactly what he needed to hear. That his God hears him, sees him, and is able to change things in his story. What I want you to see though is this message was for Hezekiah. This story of God bringing life again to a dying body and this reassurance that God is with them is for Hezekiah. I know sometimes we can feel like God isn’t listening or seeing us when we read stories like this and then look at our life and see we are still in our weakness. Yet while the message of healing was for Hezekiah, the one giving the message hasn’t changed. What we get from the passage is a beautiful description of the type of relationship God desires with us. Not one that’s disconnected with us, but one that hears our prayers, sees our story, and actually brings help within our life. What Hezekiah needed to hear is what you need to hear today. God hears you, God sees you, and God is able to change things in your story. While the message of healing was for Hezekiah, the same God who spoke into him is the same God we follow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 391
Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, 2 Kings 20:5 – God hears the prayer of the faithful and answers. Hezekiah’s story unfolds that truth for us. He walked with God, prayed when the struggle came, and God heard and answered. As we walk faithfully with God we can be assured that God sees our struggles, hears our prayers, and will answer. Understand the answer may not be exactly what we envision it to be, but He does answer with what’s best. That where we need to trust Him. Simply hear today God sees your pain, hears your prayer, and He is working. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1043
At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 2 Kings20:12-13 – In showing hospitality to his guest, the king showed the envoy of Babylon all that was present in his kingdom. Nothing of the possessions and grandeur of his kingdom was kept from them. Yet, many commentators speak into the lack of any word spoken about if Hezekiah in this presentation ever spoke about who it was that provided him this kingdom or if he took any chance to speak to them about the foolishness of their idolatrous worship practices. Whether the king took these opportunities or not we’ll never know, but one thing we do know is the opportunities were there to do so. Within this new year, you’ll be blessed with opportunities like this too. To give God credit for all you have and to speak about the foolishness of following after anything else other than God. When, not if, these opportunities arise, will you take advantage of them this year? Let others not only see the blessings you have been given but introduce them to the Lord who blessed your story with such blessings. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2226
Chapter 21
For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 2 Kings21:3 – Sin isn’t free. First think of the life of following God and eternity with Him your giving up for a life of temporary fills. Yet also just know sin will cost you to do it. It will cost relationships being destroyed by bad choices. It will cost your mind to be flooded with discouragement and depression due to the lack of never finding true fulfillment in anything. It’s will cost you everything. Yet so will following God, but look at what you get in return when you follow God. Peace rather than discontentment. Hope rather than hopelessness. Fulfillment rather than emptiness. Both following sin and following God will cost you everything so look at what you get in return and make your choice today which you’re going to follow. Abandon one and recklessly run after the other. If you want my input though, God is so much more worth going after. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 392
And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem will I put my name.” And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 2 Kings 21:4-5 – In the very place set aside for God he built altars to false gods. We may be appalled at such disrespect for God, but let’s check our own hearts for a moment. Our life is what God says to set aside for Him, so what “altars” have we built up within our life and are worshiping them with our time and focus more than our worship of God? Sure our altars are different from the ones we’re reading about, but they both can take our eyes off of God. Identify your altars, cut them down, and give back to God what should be set aside wholly for Him…you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1044
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh and all that he did, and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 2 Kings 21:17 – What we have in this chapter is a retelling of the 55 year reign of King Manasseh. The word that we could use to describe it…sinful. Everything about his time as king from this chapter is simply sin after sin. He is marked in holy scripture by his sin. What will you go down in history for being after? We’re just starting out a new year, so we can look back at 2022 and get and idea of how to answer that question. What was your life about last year? While the answers will be many and may be difficult to pick one as the top answer, the answer that every follower of Jesus should hope comesto the top is the same. Our year should have been about Jesus. As clear as we can see Manasseh’s life was about sin others should be able to say our life was about Jesus. So, what can we do this year to make sure that is what is said of us? How can we make our year, each day, our whole life marked as one all about Jesus? Pray, ask God to show you what that looks like for you, and take the steps you know to take to make this a reality. Make this year a year marked by your devotion to Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac Daily DEVO 2227
Chapter 22
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 – Hearing God’s Word should lead us into action. Possibly that action is falling on your knees in a sincere apology to God because you realize how far your life has strayed from His ways. Possibly that action is cry of thankfulness because you are reminded that God is inside your story with you. Possibly that action is to share God’s love with someone else. Whatever the action, there should be a reaction from us to the direction we get from God’s Word. Allow God’s Word to be active in leading you and changing you. How do you begin that? By reading His Word. Give God time to direct you through His Word and see how He leads you. Remember us hearing God’s Word should lead us into action somehow, so what is God leading you to do today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 393
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 – Hearing God’s Word should lead us into action. Possibly the action is repentance for a sin we’ve committed. Possibly the action is to begin sharing God’s love with someone we’ve held off doing that with. Or maybe it’s simply to stop worrying because God says to stop worrying. Whatever the direction may be, realize the scriptures are giving us directions to be followed. Not just life lessons to be learned and stored away, but directions to be practiced out daily within our life. What then has scripture been impressing upon you to do that you’ve categorized as simply a good life lesson to remember or simply a message for someone else? Listen and obey what God teaches through scripture. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1045
But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 2 Kings 22:18-19 – Josiah was a king that sought to follow the ways of the Lord. When the book of the law was discovered and the words of it read before him, his heart filled with anguish for what was to come upon them for all the ways the people before him had lived unfaithfully. What God looked at with pleasure was the way Josiah responded to the words of the law being told to him. How we respond to the words of the Lord matters as well. When we’re walking one way then we find in scripture we should be going another, how we respond matters to God. When we’re feeling/thinking one way then we see scripture telling us to feel/think differently, how we respond to hearing God’s direction matters to God. He is honored and pleased when we listen to His words and change our course how He directs. He is not pleased with those who hear His word and refuses to change their steps to be in line with the new directions they were given. So as we move forward this year, and God reveals the proper ways we are to be walking after Him, make whatever changes His Word directs you to make. God is honored when those who say they follow Him actually do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2228
Chapter 23
And Josiah removed all the shrines also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made, provoking the Lord to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done at Bethel. 2 Kings 23:19 – A destroying of the old must come as we follow God. If the old was a trusting in yourself to be able to get you by, then that needs to be destroyed. If the old was a way of thinking that you don’t need Christian community, that idea needs to be destroyed. If the old is an attachment to a habit of sin that too needs to be destroyed. What we see in our passage is a cleaning out of all that shouldn’t be there. From false gods to cult prostitutes, we see the king removing all that kept his people in bondage for so long. That type of cleaning out is what God longs to see in your life too. All that old way of thinking and living that kept you down God wants out. It’s not going to be an easy process doing this cleaning, but Jesus died so that He could have such a relationship with us where He could help us “clean up.” What old ways of your life are still present in your new life with Jesus? What has kept them there? Are you willing to let Jesus help you destroy those things? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 394
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 2 Kings 23:4 – This chapter is filled with the changes that the king sought to make to have his people stop pursuing sin and begin following God again. We learn that choosing to follow God means a doing away with all that is in your life that isn’t about following God. Sometimes those things will be difficult, costly, or even meet with some pushback. The choice to do away with them though is a must if you want to be wholly for God. Just because it’s the right thing to do doesn’t mean it’s the easy thing to do, know though it honors God and shows you love Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1046
And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:21-23 – The Passover was a time of remembrance for God’s people of what He did for them. He rescued them from harsh slavery in Egypt in powerful ways and the Passover was a way to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord for such a rescue. Yet, as we see from our verse, it had been a very long time since the Passover had been celebrated in such an honoring to scripture way. While it may have taken place, such preparations had not been taken like it was for this Passover and such removal of idolatrous things had not been removed like this before. What I hope we see is that it still took place. Yes, for generations worship of God like this hadn’t happened. Yes, for generations the sources of idolatry had not been destroyed like this. While it could easily be said then it would never happen now since it’s been this way for generations…look at what Josiah did. Despite things being one way for a very long time, he still moved in a faithful way. Know maybe your story or situation has been one way for a very long time. God has not been acknowledged there for awhile and it seems like the only path is for it to stay that course. That though isn’t the only path. Yes, it will be hard to change courses, but it is possible. It wasn’t easy to remove all the places of idolatry in his land, but the king did. Starting to follow God after years of not isn’t going to be smooth and easy, but it’s very possible. Helping that person in your life begin following Jesus won’t be easy, but it’s very possible. Just because things have been one way for a very long time doesn’t mean God can’t bring change there. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2229
Chapter 24
2 Kings 24&25 – What you see within these two chapters is defeat for the people of God. Their city is completely overwhelmed with the enemy. The people are taken away from all they know and placed with the enemy. The temple is ransacked and destroyed. From all angles this is a defeat for God’s people, but don’t take this as a defeat of our God. Yes His temple was destroyed but He wasn’t. Yes His people were defeated but He wasn’t. Our God is not able to be destroyed or defeated. He’s not like these other false gods we read together about in 2 Kings where time and time again their altars and idols were destroyed. Our God reigned and remained through all the attacks poured out on Him. Know that He is the same today. While our culture and world would love to deceive you into thinking He’s been destroyed He hasn’t. While even some in the church would like you to believe the enemy has bested God and has had God removed from our presence that’s a total lie. God is with us and God still reigns. Defeat in our life is not defeat of our God. Sin can still have influence over us if we let it, but it has no power over our God. Remember as we step into this next year the same Jesus that rose victoriously from the grave is still alive and powerful in your story. He’s never going to be defeated and His strength is for all who are with Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 395
…and Jehoiachin the king of Judah gave himself up to the king of Babylon, himself and his mother and his servants and his officials and his palace officials. The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign… 2 Kings 24:12 – Sin doesn’t bring freedom. Here we have the king of Judah pursuing the sinful worship of false gods and finding himself as a result under the captivity of Babylon. Sin has a way of making us think that when we lean into it we lean into the freedom we’ve been searching for. Take today’s passage as an example of the truth about sin. Instead, lean into a life of following God. There, and only there, will you find true freedom. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1047
And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 2 Kings 24:19 – If you’ve been reading along in 1 and 2 Kings, you’ll not be surprised by a verse like this. This was how the majority of kings up to this point lived their lives, doing evil instead of what is right by the Lord. So why single this verse out like we are if this is such a common one to find in these books? Because this time it’s being spoken of Zedekiah. He was the very last king of Judah before the nation fell. King after king before him refused to follow God and it lead to an enemy nation capturing their entire city and bloodshed. He got the chance over and over to witness where not following God would take him as king, yet still chose to not follow God. In my sermon this Sunday my last point will be that following God’s word is optional in our life. As with Zedekiah, we can choose to not follow it. Yet how many people either from scripture or in life have we seen choose to not follow after God and they are just walking through life missing something. Maybe that something is peace, or joy, or purpose, or assurance of what’s going to happen after death. Today make the choice to follow the Lord. Witness the example of those who don’t and let that spur you to want something better. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac -Daily DEVO 2230
Chapter 25
And he burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. 2 Kings 25:9 – Babylon destroyed everything. Babylon took almost everyone away from their homeland and cast them elsewhere. It’s seemed that the people of God had lost everything, yet what was most important they still had and would never be able to have it taken away. God will always be with His people. For us who have placed our faith in Him we can never lose what we have with God. No power can ever step in and take the life we have with God away. These powers can take all other things away, and even discourage us to think we have lost what we have in God, but we must remember the truth that what we have in God we’ll have always. Maybe right now all you do have is God, just know He is more than enough. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1048
So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 2 Kings 25:2 – The eventual judgement on Judah has finally come in our readings. Babylon has shown up on the scene, and as we read in our chapter, destroys everything within Jerusalem. What I want us to note though is that the besiegement went until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. So, next question, when did it start? The ninth year. Meaning the land had the enemy’s presence, power, and attacks constantly with them for almost two full years straight. We can read a little in this chapter about the hopelessness and weakening this brought the people. The enemy came but didn’t leave quickly. We must accept this will be our story as well. Our enemy who is wanting to keep us from a life after Jesus isn’t just going to pop in once, spew a few discouraging words, then leave letting us do our thing. No, he is going to come, stay, and lay attack after attack on those seeking to pursue Jesus. But…just because the enemy is coming, has come, and is staying, this doesn’t mean our story is loss. Jesus too has come and is staying with us and we can lean into Him for our support against the attacks. He will provide the strength, peace, and provision we need to not just keep fighting but also enjoy this blessed life despite the present of the enemy. So yes, realize the enemy is here and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Don’t let that though discourage you from a faithful pursuit of Jesus. You will find all you need to withstand the enemy and live free in Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2231
Daily DEVO 