December 2, 2023
What does it say?
Judah turned its back on God and was quickly invaded by Egypt. The king’s palace and the temple were plundered, and the nation was forced into slavery.
What does it mean?
The invasion of Judah and the loss of the fortified cities shocked the people, especially since the attack came unexpectedly from the hands of the Egyptians. Far worse, however, was the plundering of the temple and the ensuing slavery. So why did God allow this to happen to His own people? Quite simply, the king and his people neglected what they knew was most important … their relationship with the Lord their God. Consequently, the nation learned firsthand the difference between serving God and serving ungodly rulers.
How should I respond?
We too can be guilty of neglecting our relationship with the Lord. The hectic pace of busy schedules along with everything that competes for our attention can eventually erode time meant to be spent with Him. When our priorities become skewed, God may allow circumstances and events we don’t understand to get our attention. While those situations may be difficult, they might also be necessary to help us focus on Christ and Him alone. Is your life an example of submission to God, or one that shows He is not the priority? Take time right now to reflect on your relationship with the Lord. Never forget that the closer you draw to Him, the closer He will draw to you.