Today’s Reading

Second Kings 18-19; John 6:22-44

Selected Verses

He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. 2 Kings 18:5-7a

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:28-29

Reflections

Hezekiah came to the throne in Jerusalem at a most difficult time. Assyria was the dominant nation and was putting pressure on both Israel and Judah. Israel fell and Assyria prepared to finish off Judah as well. But Hezekiah trusted the Lord. Taunting came and threats of Assyrian victory, but Hezekiah prayed and sought the Lord. He turned to the prophet Isaiah for advice. God delivered them and turned sure defeat into a time of freedom and prosperity.

The Jews asked Jesus what they needed to be doing in order to do the works of God. Their question implied that they wanted to please God and that they assumed that God could be pleased by some actions, some works on their part. Jesus corrected them by saying that the work of God for them was to believe in the One whom God had sent to them. They stumbled over His plain teaching, looking for some way of getting on the right side of God, but they were missing the most basic quality of the godly person: faith.

Think about it

The writer to the Hebrews said, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

How about you? Do you trust God or, when life is unbearable, do you frantically try to be “good enough” to merit God’s favor? God looks for the believing heart and is pleased. Trust Him even if the Assyrians are at your doorstep. The same God who was with Hezekiah is able to see you through and to graciously deliver you from your worst nightmare. Faith is what pleases God. Always was and always will be.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission