Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15
Azariah... was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. (2 Kings 15.1-2)
Devotional Thought: Today’s chapter is 2 Kings 15. It contains the story of King Azariah of Judah. Azariah is also known as Uzziah. Azariah reigned 52 years! That is a long administration! Americans think that their president has grown stale by the time he (or she some day!) has reached his eighth year. What would we do for 52 years?
What did 52 years of leadership mean for Azariah? It meant that he had a long and lasting influence.
Azariah was only sixteen when he took office. Just a teenager! Yet, God shaped him to accomplish his purposes throughout his 52 year reign. We should be very interested in our teens and children in the church, shouldn’t we? Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them…” It is important that our kids get grounded in Christ young and then live their lives as a positive influence for the Kingdom. I remember a Sunday when I baptized eight people at the church where I pastored. How thankful I was that two of them were children and three of them were teens. That’s great news not only for their lives, but also for the church and for the Kingdom! In addition, it is great news for our community and nation. May God bless them with long lives so that they can have long and lasting influence!
As you think about those in whom you can invest, do not disregard children and youth. Spend time with them. Teach them. Encourage them. Pick them up. Show them that you believe in them and value them. And, as we think about the ministries of our churches, let’s remember to invest heavily in the younger generations. May His Kingdom come!
Prayer: Lord, you said, "Let the children come to me... for of such is the Kingdom of God." Help me to remember the importance of bringing young people into the Kingdom, and use me to help them know you. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 18.1-6
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me;
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
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