2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs
18:2-3
Israel is just so pitiful, both the nation ("the Israelites
lived in their own homes as they had before" [2 Ki. 13:6] - what a
terrible commentary that this fact is worth noting) and the army ("nothing
had been left of the army...except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten
thousand foot soldiers" [vs. 7]). Such terrible decimation and
destruction. No wonder Jehoahaz has a moment of clarity: "Then
Jehoahaz sought the Lord's favor" (vs. 4). The relief is brief,
however, and the succeeding kings are no better. Even so, "the Lord
was gracious to [Israel] and had compassion and showed concern for them because
of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (vs. 23, emphasis
mine). God is a vow-keeper, a faithful promise-fulfiller. He saw
the oppression in and of Israel (see also 14:26-27), and he acted to preserve
his people.
We see just this sort of steadfast trustworthiness at work in
our psalm. Israel had "put [its] trust in princes, in mortal men,
who cannot save....[whose] plans come to nothing" (Ps. 146:3-4) and had
seen devastation result. But God - "the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and everything in them" (vs. 6) - is a God who "upholds the
cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry[,]....sets prisoners
free,...gives sight to the blind,...lifts up those who are bowed
down,....watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow"
(vs. 7-9). Even though Israel has lived like the fool in today's Proverbs
reading, bringing contempt and shame and disgrace upon itself, God is yet faithful.
God is yet present. God is still at work.
Perhaps you are like Israel today, full of shame and
devastation. Have hope; God is yet faithful. God restores.
God redeems. He longs to bring freedom and life, to give sight, to
encourage and protect. Seek his favor this day; his covenant of love
toward you is ready.
- Sarah Marsh
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