Day 19

Flawed Kings and Kingdoms

from the 1 & 2 Kings reading plan


2 Kings 14:1-29, 2 Kings 15:1-38, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Luke 5:32

BY Kaitie Stoddard

Every fall I get the strange urge to flip on a football game. Not because I particularly like, or even really understand, football. But because there is something cozy about a game playing in the background as I consume cheese-filled dips and nod off on the couch. Growing up, my family was into football, so I guess it brings a sense of familiarity. As one who doesn’t follow the sport with any real investment, I tend to cheer for whichever team is predicted to lose. There is just something compelling about an underdog. When all the odds are stacked against them, nobody believes they can pull it off. And yet, seemingly out of nowhere, they can make an interception and turn the whole game around in their favor. It’s not only the unexpected excitement of a good underdog story that I love, but also the perseverance of the team that I admire.

The Bible is full of underdog stories. One of the greatest underdog stories in the Bible is the story of Israel. God chose to perform His mightiest acts through a small, obscure people. In choosing to bless the world through the descendants of Abraham, the Lord backed the underdogs. Not the wealthiest or most powerful, Israel was ruled by broken rulers. Why would God choose this group of people? Perhaps so there could be no doubt about whose saving power was at work.

During the reign of the wicked king Jeroboam son of Jehoash, the people were suffering, and “there was no one to help Israel” (2 Kings 14:26). God showed mercy to the Israelites because He had made a promise. And when God makes a promise, He does not break it. The Lord promised to preserve His people, so He saved them by the hand of their broken leader. It looked like they would meet their demise, but by the power of the Lord, the dry bones of Israel were given new life (Ezekiel 37:1–14).

This story should give us confidence in what the Lord has called us to. No matter what circumstances you may be facing, if the Lord has called you to a mighty work, He will see it through. You may feel like the underdog, with all the odds stacked against you, but you’re not in this fight alone. No, you have the great High King in your corner, and He cannot lose. You may be questioning the call God has placed in your heart, asking, Why would God choose me? But like Israel, God does not bestow His favor on those who are worthy, but on those whom He loves.

“Let us not become weary in doing good,” but hold on to our hope in the Lord, continuing to fight the good fight (Galatians 6:9). God has the power to breathe new life into our bones, so me must drink deeply of His Spirit. In the end, we have nothing to sweat because Christ has already defeated death, and we will rise victorious by the power of His resurrection.

Post Comments (18)

18 thoughts on "Flawed Kings and Kingdoms"

  1. Taylor says:

    This devotion makes me think of a phrase I once heard that goes “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.” If God has called you to something, He will provide you the strength and resources to see His plan into completion! What a great honor it is be God’s vessels to accomplish His greater purpose on this Earth! Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I hope you ladies have a great weekend! Praying for your daughter Melissa.

  2. Cathy Simpkins says:

    Yes, indeed!

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