Flawed Kings and Kingdoms
Open Your Bible
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.
18 thoughts on "Flawed Kings and Kingdoms"
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I think of the song, Dry Bones by Lauren Daigle. I heard her explain that song on KLove, the Christian music station. She said that so many are giving up on this generation. She wrote this to speak life to them. They can come alive! I believe that’s true. Nothing is impossible with God. They can do great and awesome things for the King of Kings. It’s a good song.
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So, this morning I woke up “weary with doing good”. Yesterday was a hard day at school. Two of my really, really exceptionally good kids were terrible – disrespectful, disruptive, so out of character. I worried with it all evening and woke up with the thought that I was going to have to sit and rest in Jesus on this. I prayed for wisdom and discernment and yes, I prayed for patience. But mostly I prayed for His grace and mercy to flow through me.
I felt led to just let it go and not make it an issue. Then I read today’s devotion. It just affirmed to me God’s love, His care, and the truth that He has placed me in this place for this time. When I got to class the instigator came to me and apologized. She told me she had been having a really bad day and she took it out on me and then felt really bad. I can’t tell you the wave of peace that flowed over me. It was such a sweet moment from God I had to share it with you.
Have a blessed weekend. Stay warm! It is cold down South!! -
Melissa, praying for your daughte and for all you ladies who meet here every morning. Praying that we would all be overwhelmed with His presence and love today.
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Melissa, I’ve added your Molly to my prayer list. I’m trusting God to tenderly pursue her and draw her close to Him. I’m praying for her eyes and ears and mind and heart to be open to the things of God as He reveals Himself to her. He is relentless in His love!
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Thank you dear sister. I so appreciate your prayers on Molly’s behalf.
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The lyrics that come to mind this morning : “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.” So many things overwhelm but He remains sovereign. No leader is put in place without His permission for His reason and His purpose. Nothing gets past God. His ways are always for my good, though at times they may seem hard. My faith is tested time and again but with praise and worship, the battle is won. With praise and worship, my dry bones come to life again and again.
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I love that song. One of my early on mentors (2 years ago) encouraged me to listen to that song (earphones) while I was in a unpleasant situation. It brought me peace.
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Walking by faith has its challenges and over the past 44 years of my walk, I’ve had highs and lows, but I have never completely lost hope in God. My youngest child, however, is losing hope and feels rejected by Him. Please pray for my sweet Molly….that she would return to the Word, and hear from Him of His love for her. She is 25 and has been a believer since she was 3, but has never felt His presence or peace… which makes me wonder if she has really ever given Him her whole heart and life. Please, if you think of her, pray that she would be drawn back to Him in a new and deeper way and that she would have a strong confidence that she is loved and guided by Him. Thank you so much!
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Praying for Molly. From one mom to another.
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Praying for your precious Molly.
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Melissa, I never comment here, but your request for prayer for your daughter was like reading my own words— my daughter ellie, 22, is in exactly the same position, wondering if God is rejecting her, and saying she has never truly “felt” the presence of the Lord. She is doubting everything. I will be praying for a softening of both their hearts. God is able.
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As I read 1 and 2 Kings I have the impulse to take the history of my nation and process through the leaders, activities, and people’s choices to determine whether each, “did good or evil in the eyes of the Lord.” And, while I do believe it is important to keep our eyes open and our ears clear to hear what the Holy Spirit tells us in regards to these things, (so that we can live a life for Christ within the evil times) I am humbly thankful…once again, that God, the One true God, the Only God, knows all and still handles us with mercy. Every time I think I see the breadth of His love I realize, it’s so much bigger than I am able to comprehend. I pray for leadership true and right, as in the time of David for our nation and the world, and yet, it begins with me.
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We loved that song as a child and sang it a lot.
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❤️ this,
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Thank you, dear Angie. I am so grateful. ❤️
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I just love Ezekiel 37. It gets me every time. Thank you Lord for bringing dry bones back to life!
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