March 14, 2025, 2 Kings 15:27-31

March 14, 2025, 2 Kings 15:27-31

27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years. 28 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.

29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria. 30 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. 31 Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

We continue to see that the influence of the rulers didn’t change from generation to generation, even when those rulers were overthrown and a new regime took over.  They were all corrupt and did evil in God’s eyes.  These verses tell us “he made Israel to sin.” In verse 28.  Now we know that no one can make someone else sin, but when we as leaders say “here, this is the way we are going to do this!”, we cause others to think it is the right way, and after generations, people forget the right way.  Whether we are rulers of countries, companies, families, spouses, children, or friends, we need to be careful, not just what we say, but how we act.  When others see us act in a specific way, it becomes the right way to those we are in authority over.

We really need to pray daily for our rulers.  Today we call them politicians, presidents, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, etc.  But let’s be honest…they are rule makers in our land and make laws.  Police offers are there to carry out the laws, and meet with difficulties of their own, and they need prayer not just to follow God, and be safe as they are out there protecting us, but that they treat those they encounter with dignity and respect.  How we treat others says more about us than it does others.

My son is a police officer and he is and has always been one that treats others with respect beyond what they deserve. 

May we look at each person we encounter as God does…through the eyes of the Creator and one who sent His Son to die for them.

Pray today that you treat those you encounter in a way that honors God.  In a way that would make Jesus proud.

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