August 16
Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 24 · Jeremiah 22 Psalm 112 · John 18
Reading Time: ~21 minutes (Scripture + devotional, no journaling)
Journal Time: +10–15 minutes for application questions
Journal Time: +10–15 minutes for application questions
Scripture Focus
Devotional Reflection
How sad that all the blessing, joy, power, provision, and relationship with the one true God was theirs—yet they threw it all away. They were given the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey, yet chose to walk away from it. Instead of clinging to their covenant with God as their Father and King, they rejected Him so they could do things their own way.
Reading this makes me stop and wonder: what blessings do we forfeit, what “promised lands” do we give up, when we abandon the Lord? How often do we lean on our own understanding, handle things in our own way, or take advice that doesn’t come from Him? How often do we act in our own strength instead of depending fully on His?
King after king did evil in the sight of the Lord. Even when they stood at death’s door, they could not stop themselves. Scripture warns:
They had become slaves to their own destruction and to the desires of their flesh.
And yet, God’s heart was never for their destruction. All He wanted for them was goodness — justice, righteousness, compassion, blessing, and joy. Through the prophet Jeremiah, He pointed to the example of Josiah, a king who ruled justly, cared for the poor and needy, and walked in righteousness — and “everything went well for him.”
This reveals God’s heart: greatness in His eyes is not about our cedar palaces, fancy homes, or the abundance of things we own. Those things don’t make us great. What matters to Him is being just and right in all our dealings, caring for the poor and needy, and living in a way that reflects His heart. That’s what it truly means to know the Lord.
The psalmist reminds us that those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands are filled with joy, blessed across generations, and confident in His care. But the opposite is also true — when we refuse His ways, the blessings are replaced with ruin.
Lesson for Me
God’s commands are not a burden; they are the path to life, joy, and blessing. Rejecting them leads to slavery to sin, loss of peace, and spiritual ruin. Obedience to Him is not just about avoiding judgment — it’s the very way we walk in His joy and provision.
Application Questions
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for showing me what it means to know You — to walk in justice, righteousness, and compassion. Keep me from giving myself to anything that leads to destruction. Teach me to delight in Your commands and to trust that Your ways lead to joy, blessing, and peace. May my life be marked by generosity, fairness, and fearless trust in You. Amen.
“This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent! If you obey me, there will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. The king will ride through the palace gates in chariots and on horses, with his parade of attendants and subjects. But if you refuse to pay attention to this warning, I swear by my own name, says the Lord, that this palace will become a pile of rubble.” — Jeremiah 22:3–5 NLT
“But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord. — Jeremiah 22:15–16 NLT
“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.” — Psalm 112:1 NLT
Devotional Reflection
How sad that all the blessing, joy, power, provision, and relationship with the one true God was theirs—yet they threw it all away. They were given the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey, yet chose to walk away from it. Instead of clinging to their covenant with God as their Father and King, they rejected Him so they could do things their own way.
Reading this makes me stop and wonder: what blessings do we forfeit, what “promised lands” do we give up, when we abandon the Lord? How often do we lean on our own understanding, handle things in our own way, or take advice that doesn’t come from Him? How often do we act in our own strength instead of depending fully on His?
King after king did evil in the sight of the Lord. Even when they stood at death’s door, they could not stop themselves. Scripture warns:
“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” — Romans 6:16 NLT
They had become slaves to their own destruction and to the desires of their flesh.
And yet, God’s heart was never for their destruction. All He wanted for them was goodness — justice, righteousness, compassion, blessing, and joy. Through the prophet Jeremiah, He pointed to the example of Josiah, a king who ruled justly, cared for the poor and needy, and walked in righteousness — and “everything went well for him.”
This reveals God’s heart: greatness in His eyes is not about our cedar palaces, fancy homes, or the abundance of things we own. Those things don’t make us great. What matters to Him is being just and right in all our dealings, caring for the poor and needy, and living in a way that reflects His heart. That’s what it truly means to know the Lord.
The psalmist reminds us that those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands are filled with joy, blessed across generations, and confident in His care. But the opposite is also true — when we refuse His ways, the blessings are replaced with ruin.
Lesson for Me
God’s commands are not a burden; they are the path to life, joy, and blessing. Rejecting them leads to slavery to sin, loss of peace, and spiritual ruin. Obedience to Him is not just about avoiding judgment — it’s the very way we walk in His joy and provision.
Application Questions
- Am I walking in God’s ways with joy, or resisting Him in certain areas?
- Have I given myself over to something — a habit, desire, or attitude — that’s slowly enslaving me?
- How can I intentionally show justice, mercy, and care for the needy this week as an act of obedience to God?
- Are there blessings in my life right now that I might be forfeiting because I’m relying on my own understanding instead of God’s guidance?
- Do I value possessions, achievements, or appearances more than living justly and rightly before God?
- Who in my life needs to see the justice, compassion, and generosity of God through my actions this week?
- What is one practical step I can take today to depend more fully on God’s strength instead of my own?
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for showing me what it means to know You — to walk in justice, righteousness, and compassion. Keep me from giving myself to anything that leads to destruction. Teach me to delight in Your commands and to trust that Your ways lead to joy, blessing, and peace. May my life be marked by generosity, fairness, and fearless trust in You. Amen.