2 SAMUEL 7:12-13

When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

TO PONDER

There’s something comforting about this verse – about the ‘forever’ bit. And establishing a Kingdom which never ends, unlike Kingdoms of the past.

History shows us there were many empires that lasted for a long time. 

The leaders of these Kingdoms, often lasting between 500 and 1000 years, believed they would last forever. 

Empires such as the Portuguese, the Ottoman, the Khmer, (which the Cambodian mission team will learn more about soon), the Ethiopian, the Kanem, the Holy Roman, the Silla, the Republic of Venice, the Kush, and the Roman/Eastern Roman, ruled for hundreds of years.    

However, none of them are around any longer. Some of their buildings are, remnants of their laws are, but no sign of those Kingdoms and their rulers. 

As people of faith, we have access to a Kingdom that is thousands of years old and will not end. That’s the promise God gives in the First Testament of our Bible. And God doesn’t break his promises. That is worth praising him for.     

PRAYER: God of forever, thank you for establishing your Kingdom here on earth, so us to be part of. Forgive us when our actions show that we’re not choosing to be part of your Kingdom. Send your spirit to help us live as one of your Kingdom dwellers. In Jesus name we pray. Amen    

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping