A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 182

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 18:8 ‘The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.’

🔴The Next Scandal

Gossip. It’s what brings people to the water cooler, social media, beauty salons, barbershops, and church. We want to know who did what, why, how and take notes or screenshots to keep the narrative going. The news spreads like wildfire until someone tells the truth. 

AND THEN

-everything comes to a slow-motion screeching halt, sucking out the power and enthusiasm. Good Gracious! The nerve of those uppity, pretentious folks with the audacity to take care over what they speak and hear since words can kill or give life. What an annoyance!?!

Trusting God

In today’s assigned reading in 2 Kings 18, Hezekiah begins his rule. He admits he has done wrong (2 Kings 18:14) and begins to reestablish the sacrificial system, reorganize the priests, and outline their responsibilities. Hezekiah destroys the pagan high places, altars, and the bronze serpent Moses used in Sinai. 

The spaces and purposes for honoring pagan gods became dust.

Hezekiah and Josiah(2 Kings 23:25) were the only two who turn the gossip people fed on into God’s nourishing truth. While it may not feel like we are at war or weapons aren’t being formed against the people of Christ, evil is still rampant. Each time a noteworthy Christ-follower is brought down by scandal, think how quickly the news spreads. 

As For Us

We have power over what we digest and what we want others to consume through us. While people may not understand God’s will for our lives, we must move forward, trusting the Lord once it is clear to us. The new church saw the Great Commission as scandalous. However, telling others about the salvation of Christ and explaining how the world is an interconnected organism under the rule of God is a truth serum. 

Prayer: Lord, let us be compelled by the Holy Spirit to do, say, and act as Your ambassadors. Even in our fear, may our hearts not be troubled- may we who believe grow in wisdom and discernment. Amen