READ 2 Kings 1
The Lord sends Elijah to inform Ahaziah that he will die.

INSIGHT
Ahab and Jezebel have become famous for their irreverence and disregard for the Law
of the Lord. Yet Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, goes beyond them in his blatant disregard for
the Lord. After an accident, he inquires of Baal-Zebub, the pagan god of Ekron, whether
or not he will recover. Elijah informs the messengers that Ahaziah will die. No longer
afraid, Elijah has been strengthened from his previous failure. We must always look at
failure as an opportunity to grow.

PRAYER
God often uses our hard times to refine us into the people He wants us to be. Give Him your praise for His care:
Lord, you have treated your servant well,
Just as you promised.
Teach me good judgment and discernment,  
For I rely on your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,  
But now I keep your word.
You are good, and you do what is good;  
Teach me your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Remember, Lord, your compassion
And your faithful love,
For they have existed from antiquity.  
Do not remember the sins of my youth  
Or my acts of rebellion;  
In keeping with your faithful love, remember me
Because of your goodness, Lord (Psalm 25:6-7).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
This saying is trustworthy
And deserving of full acceptance:
“Christ Jesus came into the world
To save sinners” — and I am the worst of them
(1 Timothy 1:15).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater trust in God’s leading in your life
• The ministry of your local church
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,  
Nor angels nor rulers,  
Nor things present nor things to come,  
Nor powers, nor height nor depth,
Nor any other created thing
Will be able to separate us
From the love of God  
That is in Christ Jesus our Lord
(Romans 8:38-39).