Daily Reading
Daily Thought
They were the vows of a wedding, a wedding between God and his people. The Lord spoke to Moses, “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob” (Exodus 6:7-8). This was the covenant God made with Israel.
She had selected his wedding band. That part was easy. Now to choose an engraving. The jeweler suggested, “I choo choo choose you.” Not a chance. “Today, I married my best friend.” A little sappy. “August 16, 2020.” It would help him remember your anniversary… No. ”Two hearts, one soul?” I don’t think so. “Eternally Yours.” Boring. “Today, Tomorrow, Forever,” “My Dream Came True,” “This Day And Always” – No, No, No! On the wedding night, he pulled off his ring and looked inside to discover the engraving she had selected: “Put it back on.”
Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (2Kings 15:8-9). “Put it back on.” Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (vv 17-18). “Put it back on.” Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (vv 23-24). “Put it back on.” Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (vv 27-28). “Put it back on.” Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, and he reigned nine years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (2Kings 17:1-2). Israel kept taking it off.
“You shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you,” God commanded (2Kings 17:38). But they did, again and again, and one last time. Then, in 722BC, “in the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away” (2Kings 17:6). Sometimes God lets us go so we will realize how much we need him.
Daily Prayer
Loving God, You sought me out and rescued me from the darkness I was in. You paid the price of my redemption. You spilled blood for my salvation. You gave Your life for me. I love You back. I promise.
I will not seek other ways, other ideas, other gods. You did not need to seek me, You desired to. I, on the other hand, need to seek You. I pray, my God, that You will be and will always be my one desire, my full desire.
Amen