Aug 30, 2024
The 2024 edition of Our Best Thought is inspired by our 2024 Bible Reading Plan and features writings thoughtfully crafted by contributors reflecting on their daily devotions. “Our Best Thought“ is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.”
Reading: 2 Kings 21
Scripture:
2 Kings 21:2-3 (Manasseh’s Idolatry):
He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them.
2 Kings 21:9 (Judah’s Corruption):
But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.
Observation:
From the story of Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Amon, Kings of Judah:
The sins of fathers have a lasting impact, influencing not only their own lives but also the lives and futures of their descendants. Similarly, the sins of leaders extend beyond their personal failings, affecting the well-being of the people they govern and shaping the future of the entire nation.
Application:
To deal with the sins of our fathers, we need to cut off from our lives the practices that are abominable to God, ensuring that those sins do not continue. We should not follow our leaders blindly but instead, know the Word of God ourselves, know God personally, and walk with Him. It is also essential to deal with our own sinful habits so that we do not pass them on to our children and future generations.
Prayer:
Lord, show us the sins of our fathers that are affecting us today so that we can deal with them and walk free from the curses in those areas of our lives that are sinful and abominable to You. Cleanse us, Lord, we pray.
Lord, I pray that I would know You, know Your Word, spend time with You, and draw near to You, not only depending on our leaders to lead me to You. Help me, Lord, to make choices today that will bring blessings to future generations and not curses in their lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.