Daily Reading: 23 November

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

We need real wisdom from God in our daily work

Something to read

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

- 2 Kings 22:11 from full reading 2 Kings 22:11-20.

Something to think about

Small details often repay careful attention. All eyes are on the king. How will he respond? What will he do? In our own settings, we may wonder how the Prime Minister will respond to the latest challenges, or what our church leaders may offer the church.

At times we may feel this absolves us of responsibility, and we are learning, not least in the area of safeguarding, that this is not the case.

While all eyes are on King Josiah, essential steps are being taken by others: ‘Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the prophetess Huldah’ (2 Kings 22:14). We hurry past such unfamiliar names (hoping we have pronounced them properly) and can so easily miss that they, not the king, are good role models for us.

They flourished under Josiah’s leadership. The role of Obadiah in the court of Ahab (1 Kings 18) was much harder. Whoever our own leaders may be, whether an Ahab or a Josiah, God can enable us to be faithful. We need real wisdom from God in our daily work.

Something to do

Offer praise to someone whose quiet work of support makes a real difference.

Something to pray

Gracious God, help me to be ready to play my part, big or small, as you build your kingdom.

Today’s reading has been provided by Jim Stewart. At the time of writing Jim had led a church in Tunbridge Wells over the last 21 years. Together with his wife they have been pleased to serve with people with a heart for evangelism, social action and worldwide mission.