Day 184

2 Kings 22:3–23:30; Acts 21:37–22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12

AFTER SEVERAL GENERATIONS of evil kings —some who even practiced child sacrifice —we encountered the reformer King Josiah in 2 Kings today. The priest Hilkiah found an ancient scroll containing the covenant between God and Israel in the Temple. Once Josiah understood how far they had strayed from God, he relentlessly cleansed the land of idolatry.

In Acts, the apostle Paul asked for the opportunity to speak to the mob who had intended to kill him in Jerusalem. Hushed, they listened to Paul’s account of how he had met Jesus on the road to Damascus.

We also began our second trip through the Psalms this year, with the reminder that if we will meditate on and honor God’s will and ways in our lives, we will be like trees planted next to a riverbank. We will not wither. Instead we will be fruitful, strong, and prosperous (Psalm 1:1-3).

And lastly, our reading from Proverbs gave us practical wisdom that we must not ignore: “Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor” (Proverbs 18:12).

If we break this down, we’re talking about arrogance —the kind of arrogance that lifts us above another person. We display this by showing contempt and a lack of respect. Haughtiness is found in our attempt to demand a person’s esteem by domination. Simply watching our heart’s posture on any given day will reveal that these sorts of weeds are growing in our lives. But these weeds need to be identified and pulled, because they are leading us on a path that results in destruction. Humility before our fellow brothers and sisters is what elevates us to a place of respect and honor. Demanding it will only make enemies and, in the end, destroy us.

MEDITATION:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.