Hard lessons to learn

May 16

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 15 – 17

Verse of the Day: 2 Kings 15:3 – 5 – “And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. And Jehovah smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a separate house. And Jotham the king's son was over the household, judging the people of the land.”

Azariah pleased God in the early days of his reign, but his very successful reign (see 2 Chronicles 26) brought both longevity (52 years) and pride. The first is a good thing – the latter isn’t. Because of this, God gave Azariah a lesson in humility; no one is so great that they do not have to answer to God.

Prayer: Awesome and marvelous God, help me keep my heart humble before You. I do not want to learn the lesson of humility because of my pride. Cleanse me today. Amen.