For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Eph. 5
What does it look like for you today to “follow God’s example” and “walk in the way of love?” How can you “make the most of every opportunity?” “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Eph. 5:1a). I love that imagery! I have a picture in my head of a young child, following happily behind his father. They are wearing the same color t-shirt and matching ball caps and the child is mimicking his father’s every move. The father is a good dad. He is proud of the child he so lovingly guides and cares for. And the child adores his father. He wants to be just like his dad. Can you see it?
That to me is a beautiful depiction of how the Christian walk should be. It isn’t like sitting under the tutelage of a strict schoolmarm, whose leather strap is ready and waiting to strike the knuckles of the slightest offender. Not at all. Rather, Jesus’ work on the cross restores us to right relationship with God, our loving father. Thus, we obey Him because we trust Him. We strive to be like Him, because we adore Him and want to make Him proud. And we want to be with Him because we are safe, happy, and satisfied in His presence. We love Him because we are dearly loved.
1 Kings 13-14
This story of the man of God who prophesied against Jeroboam has always been sad to me. I don’t understand the actions or the motives of the old prophet who turned the younger man astray. But it does send up a warning flag to me. I think that it is often much easier to stand firm in the heat of our battles than in the wake of our victories. And I think that it is far easier to keep our guard up and hold steadfastly to God’s word when we face obvious enemies. It is when we believe we are in the presence of friends that we are more likely to be deceived.
I don’t know if this old prophet was trying to trip the younger man up or if his desire to eat with someone he admired caused him to be inconsiderate of the consequences. Or maybe it was something else. But this story stresses to me the importance of weighing everything, no matter the source, against God’s truth. It doesn’t matter if people are well meaning or if they are trying to trip you up. Ultimately we are responsible for our own actions and obedience to God.