How do you live, breathe, and exist in a world filled with so many idols and avenues leading to idolatry? The book of 2 Kings focuses on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah from the end of Elijah’s ministry, seen in 1 Kings, to the beginning of the Babylonian captivity. The main theme relayed throughout the book is the idea of a legacy and it’s faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The Israelites have been living in the promised land for generations and the words spoken by Moses and Joshua about guarding themselves from the idols and idolatry of the inhabitants of the land they possessed have come to fruition with the adoption of the god’s throughout the land and a lack of respect and regard for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The consistent failure seen throughout the book of 2 Kings made me fearful and full of wonder as to how a God fearing child is raised. It has been proclaimed throughout the Old Testament that it is most important that we should love God with all that we are: heart, mind, soul, and strength. Out of this dependent relationship we will learn to trust God in the midst of every situation of life and we will also seek to share that love of God with those around us. How does our personal faith in God become a desire of our children? With so many sons choosing to follow in the footsteps of their fathers in 2 Kings it is apparent that there is a distinct relationship between the example given by a father to his children. How does God build faith into people? Can someone come to faith in God when they have had no positive God fearing example in their life? It is not an absolute necessity that every person who comes to faith in God have a godly parentage but it will never hurt our children to live out the faith that we would desire to see in their lives.
Has the idea of the spiritual legacy we leave behind eluded the world today? When the Israelites entered into the promised land they had a vibrant relationship with God but as they became enthralled with the wiles of the world around them they slipped away from God: the essential story related in 2 Kings. We are surrounded by so many ‘things’ that draw our attention away from God and our fellowship with Him. Are we any different than the peopl in 2 Kings?
Were the men of Israel willing to stand up and lead their families and be the spiritual head of their household? Are men today willing to stand up and lead their families? We are at a point where the decline of the family can only be countered by a revival of the spiritual headship of the fathers within the household. I was recently introduced to the song Lead Me by Sanctus Real and the song exemplifies the call to the men of the church today to lead their families.
I look around and see my wonderful life; Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife; Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying…“Lead me with strong hands; Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love; Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight; That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home; But I still feel alone”I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes; They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine; They’re in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying…“Lead me with strong hands; Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love; Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight; That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home; But I still feel alone”So Father, give me the strength; To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way; To lead them
Won’t You lead me?To lead them with strong hands; To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love, Chasing things that I could give upI’ll show them I’m willing to fight;And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home; Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
As this beautiful song by Sanctus Real proclaims, it is in our dependance upon God’s ability to lead us that enables us to lead our families. When we cling to God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength we will learn to let God lead us through the difficult moments of life. Through this dependance upon God the legacy of our family will be placed in the most secure spot, the Hands of God.
You’re welcomed, Aaron Eberline, as it is than one life touches another’s life. It’s comforting to know who walks and then, at times, also carries one. Our world is a noisy place, it’s just the way this life is; but it is, like us, God’s creation. I’m forever humbled by our heavenly Father’s love for his creation, which we are all of his own. Life isn’t always fair, nor is it the same, but God is ‘Hebrews 13:8 {AV}: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.’ We each have a purposed journey in life, whether one recognizes it or not, which I’ve written about mine in “Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?” It will be in the Marketplace by year-end 2010 and, prayerfully, inspires the love of God, as the story reveals only what a universal creator expresses through his creation. In the writing of this true story, its journey now brings my soul rest, as only God’s graciousness for his children can do. Y’see, I know so very little but for the one thing I know–God exists. God loves you, as he does each and every one of his creations. Enjoy life, as it should be.
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Mommy, would you like a sandwich?
So beautifully said, “the Hands of God.” There’s a beautiful Bible verse, a morning prayer, which is strength to begin each new day, as your Bible blog brings it to mind once more. It is Psalm 143:8 (AV): “Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” Our children look to the parents and we, the parents, look to God, as it should be. For we are all children of God, his creation whom he loves, and it’s from whence our strength comes. Laus Deo, Amen.
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?
Thank you for sharing that Psalm. It is always pertinent to be reminded that we need to seek our strength daily from God as we go through each day and from that strength we find in Him we will be able to shepherd those around us.