Today you should read: 2 Kings 1
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Today we begin a journey through the book of 2 Kings. This exciting book chronicles the time of the king’s rule in Israel as well as the lives and ministries of Elijah and Elisha. We read about the incredible handoff in leadership and the tradition to Elisha as God’s prophet for the time.
The time has finally come. After centuries of struggles, wars and wondering, God’s promises finally appear to be taking shape in front of our eyes. David and Solomon unite the Israelites into a kingdom that has a people “as numerous as the stars”. The books of 1 and 2 Kings were originally only one volume that recounts the rule of the kings of Israel from Solomon all the way the time of the exile (a result of Israel’s disobedience).
Today in chapter one we read the story of king Ahaziah. After the death of the wicked king Ahab, Israel’s new king Ahaziah had an accident. He fell through the ornate latticework of an upstairs room at his palace and we seriously hurt. They weren’t sure if he would recover. Rather than ask God, he sent his messengers to the temple of a pagan god – Baal-zebub (the god of Ekron) to inquire about what would happen to him. This shows so much about his wicked heart and the direction he was leading God’s people.
God prompted the heart of Elijah to confront the king. “Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Ball-zebub to ask whether the king will recover?” This confrontation escalated to a point where the king sent soldiers to arrest God’s prophet. God sent fire from heaven and devoured the arresting soldiers two times. 100 men! Finally, God allowed Elijah to go and confront the wicked king about his sinful actions in person.
I wonder how many times we do the same thing? When we have a problem or question – is going to God our first thought? Do we pray and seek God’s face? Do we “cast our cares on Him”? (1 Peter 5:7). Can we walk away and not worry – trusting the hand of the Lord in our lives?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Or, do we worry and complain, looking to earthly sources for the solution and others around us?
What’s going on in your life this week? How does God want you to handle those problems today? How can you look to God and show everyone who you trust in?
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
I have enjoy the summaries about the book of Luke this past month! I am looking forward to the study about 2 Kings!
God loves us, but what about when He is silent or seems to be. And maybe for a long time? There is still no other place to go because He alone has the words of life. I’m not courageous and confusion seems near me often. But a bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. Regardless of whether I feel peace, He’s more real than what I might experience. Even when we are faithless, He is faithful because He will not deny His own.
Thanks Norma and Kaitlyn. You’re right Kaitlin, sometimes it feels like the Lord is silent. But he’s never far away. Most the time that silence is something wrong in our own hearts. We can look to the Lord, asked for his cleansing, and find restoration. Sometimes however, God uses the silence more in our lives than anything else. It forces us to look closely at his presence. I’ll be praying for you as God carefully leads you as a father only can.
I love the Philippians verse! My discipleship leader always gets on my about worrying about everything— it’s so comforting to see all the areas in Gods word where He tells us not to worry, but to trust Him!
I will say I do forget to thank Him for all He has done. It’s so easy to forget who truly gives us these blessings.