06/19/22 Not Even Death

READING: 2 Kings 13:1-11, 2 Kings 12:17-21, 2 Chronicles 24:23-27, 2 Kings 13:14-25

Eventually, we will all die if the Lord tarries His coming. Our possessions will not matter, ultimately ending up on the piles of refuge that become garbage dumps. Our honors and awards will impress few people anymore, especially as our families and friends themselves also die. Except for a tiny few of us (most certainly not including me), history will not remember us long. 

What might sound quite discouraging, though, is counterbalanced by the fact that our influence does indeed live beyond us. God continues to use our witness and our teaching even after He has called us to our eternal home—not because we are so good, but because He honors His name and His Word we have proclaimed. 

That truth is dramatically and unusually displayed in today’s reading when some folks headed to a burial are suddenly interrupted by an invading party. They toss the body into a grave—Elisha’s grave—and the dead man is instantly resurrected when his body touches just the bones of Elisha. The prophet had ministered for more than 60 years, but even death could not stop his influence.*

PERSONAL REFLECTION:  What are you doing today that will have lasting influence even after your death?    

DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me not to live for only the temporary today.”

TOMORROW’S READING:  2 Kings 14:1-14, 2 Chronicles 25:1-24, 2 Kings 13:12-13, 2 Kings 14:15-16, 23-27; 2 Chronicles 25:25-28, 2 Kings 14:17-22, 2 Kings 15:1-5, 2 Chronicles 26:1-21, Jonah 1:1-4:11

*I am indebted to Paul House (1995). 1, 2 Kings (Vol. 8, p. 308) Broadman & Holman Publishers for this title and overall thought. 

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