Day 194 Bible Readings for July 14 – Romans 1: 18 (ESV)

2 Kings 24: 8-20, 2 Kings 25, Romans 1: 18-32, Psalm 105: 37-45

Romans 1: 18 (ESV)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

Verse 18 from Romans 1 shows Paul defining what angers God. “Ungodliness” refers to people’s offenses against God, and “unrighteousness” refers to people’s offenses against each other. These offenses are not following the two commandments that Jesus said are the greatest; 1) love the Lord, your God with your heart, soul, and mind, and 2) love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. If you love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will not commit offenses against him by disobeying his laws. If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself, you will not commit offenses against other people because you would be hurting yourself. We need to remember what Paul is telling us about what angers God, because if we don’t anger God we will be following the two commandments that Jesus said are the greatest commandments to follow.

Day 193 Bible Readings for July 13 – 2 Kings 23: 2-3 (ESV)

2 Kings 23, 2 Kings 24: 1-7, Romans 1: 1-17, Psalm 105: 23-36

2 Kings 23: 2-3 (ESV)

“And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.”

In 2 Kings 23 verses 2 through 3, King Josiah read out all the words from the Book of the Covenant and made a covenant to keep his commandments and laws. The people were so moved that they joined in the covenant. These verses show that the leader of a country can inspire the people he rules to become closer to God. A leader cannot command his people who to worship. A leader can only be an example for worship of God and pass laws that are in keeping with God’s laws. A leader of a country is responsible for the well-being of a nation. If the leader sins, then his people will follow his example. But if a leader worships God, then his people will be inspired to follow him. As Christians we need to remember the example of King Josiah when we vote at the ballot box. A good Christian leader will bring us closer to God, and we need to remember this when deciding who to vote for in any election.

Day 192 Bible Readings for July 12 – 2 Kings 22: 18-20 (ESV)

2 Kings 21 & 22, Acts 28: 17-31, Psalm 105: 12-22

2 Kings 22: 18-20 (ESV)

“But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’” And they brought back word to the king.”

Verses 18 through 20 from 2 Kings 22 shows the judgement of God upon Josiah King of Judah. Josiah began repair of the temple, and listened to words of the Book of the Law that was found. Afterwards, Josiah tore his clothes which was a traditional expression of the sadness and grief when he realized that his nation and his father had disobeyed the laws of Moses and sinned in the eyes of God. When Josiah sent his priest and servants what will be judgement upon Judah for their sinfulness. The Lord said judgement will come to the nation of Judah but because Josiah had repented and realized his nation’s sinful ways, the Lord told him he would die before he saw the destruction of his nation.

Josiah’s example shows us that God is merciful to those who repent and realize their sinfulness. We cannot stop the eventual judgement of God, but we can delay it if we pray to God and seek repentance.

Day 191 Bible Readings for July 11 – Acts 28: 7-10 (ESV)

2 Kings 19: 14-37, 2 Kings 20, Acts 28: 1-16, Psalm 105: 1-11

Acts 28: 7-10 (ESV)

“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”

Verses 7 through 10 from Acts 28 shows how Paul kept doing the work of God when he was stranded on the island of Malta. The boat carrying Paul was stranded was called the island of Malta. Paul did not let being stuck on a strange island deter him from doing God’s mission. If there were people to be healed, Paul healed them. No matter what circumstances Paul found himself in, he was always focused on spreading God’s message and making friends wherever he went.

Paul’s example shows us that no matter what unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves in, we need to keep our focus on God and do his good work in whatever gifts God gave us. If we have this attitude, we will always be participating in God’s plans.