From: June 26, 2025
“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.” (2 Kings 10:28–29 ESV)
Jehu had been chosen by God to bring judgment on the house of Ahab and to remove Baal worship from Israel. He acted decisively and zealously to carry out that commission. He tore down Baal’s temple, destroyed its priests, and eradicated the cult from the land. However, Jehu did not fully obey the Lord. He held on to the golden calf worship introduced by Jeroboam. Though he eliminated one form of idolatry, he maintained another. His actions appeared to be politically motivated rather than spiritually pure. While God’s word of judgment against Ahab was fulfilled through Jehu, his own heart was not fully devoted to the Lord.
Jehu reminds us that partial obedience is still disobedience. We cannot pick and choose which parts of God’s Word we will follow. Like Jehu, we may be tempted to obey in areas that align with our personal goals while compromising in others. But the Lord desires wholehearted devotion. He sees through our outward actions and looks at our hearts. We must ask ourselves: Are we clinging to idols of comfort, convenience, or control? Are we using religion as a cover for self-serving motives? God’s promises—including His judgments—will come to pass in His timing. Our call is to walk in faithfulness and truth, not just in public victories, but in private surrender. Let us give Him our wholehearted devotion.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for the ways we hold back from giving You our full devotion. Reveal any idols we are keeping in our hearts, even the ones we have justified or ignored. Help us walk in Your ways completely, not just when it suits our purposes but in all areas of life. Teach us to trust in Your Word and to live with reverence for Your timing and truth. We want to follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 26, 2024
“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue… they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:10-11 ESV).
Those in Berea who heard Paul’s message, listened and compared it to Scripture “to see if these things were so.” As a result, many of the Bereans, both Jew and Gentile, believed the gospel and became followers of Jesus.
This should always be our response to any teaching. Does it align with God’s Word? If it does, it can be believed. If it does not, it should be rejected. This response of the Bereans has been recorded for our benefit, so that with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can discern the truth and know what to believe and what to reject (See 1 John 4:1-3).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love Your Word. We want to be like the Bereans, examining the Scriptures daily to hear a clear word from You. For Your Word is life to us. Fill us afresh this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 26, 2023
“Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about” (Acts 17:22-23 NLT).
After debating with some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens, the apostle Paul was invited to appear before the city council to explain more fully his teaching. For the Athenians loved talking about different religions and philosophies. Noticing that Athens was filled with shrines and altars to a multitude of gods, Paul saw one with an inscription to an “Unknown God” and indicated that he wanted to tell them more about Him. He commended the Athenians for their religious interest and used the example of the shrine to tell them about the God they didn’t know. He even quoted one of their poets, the Greek poet, Aratus, to win common ground with them (Acts 17:28).
Paul described his approach to sharing the gospel with the peoples of different cultures in his first letter to the Corinthians saying, “Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Cor. 9:22-23).
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us wisdom to know how to share the gospel in a way that people can understand, while at the same time retaining the truth of its message. Help us to always seek to lead people to Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.
From: June 26, 2022
THREE RESPONSES TO THE GOSPEL
The apostle Paul was called before the high council of Athens, which met at the Areopagus (“Mars Hill”), where they invited him to explain what he was teaching. For the Athenians were known for their interest in new philosophies, many of them spending much of their time discussing new ideas. They listened closely as Paul began his message with an observation about their idol to the unknown god. They continued listening without interruption until he got to the gospel portion of his sermon and spoke about Christ’s resurrection. At that point, the hearers of the gospel were divided into at least three camps: 1) Those who laughed in contempt, 2) those who wanted to hear more, and 3) those who became believers.
The gospel always has that effect. It brings people to a point of decision. For we have to decide what we’re going to do with the One who has defeated sin, death and the grave, namely, Jesus Christ.
But you say, “The second group didn’t make a decision.” Yes, the did. They decided to wait until later to hear more. This actually represents a very large group of people, who often keep putting off the decision until it is too late. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, “Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
PRAYER: Lord, help us to share Your gospel boldly as the Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to do. For we can discuss many new philosophies and people will gladly listen, but the gospel divides. It moves people to either reject or accept the claims of Christ. Yet, the gospel is the only message that offers salvation. So, help us to always share it with spiritual power and boldness. And help those who hear it to respond by believing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 26, 2016
The Jews of Thessalonica that rejected Paul’s message formed a mob and dragged some of the believers before the city authorities. The accusation? Those “who have turned the world upside down” have now come to our city!” What they didn’t understand was that it wasn’t the men who were changing things, but the message. Furthermore, the world wasn’t being turned “upside down,” but right side up. For wherever the gospel is received, things are made right. O, that the gospel would turn this world upside down!
From: June 26, 2014
Those in Berea who heard Paul’s message, listened and compared it to Scripture before believing. This should always be our response to any teaching. Does it align with God’s Word? If it does, it can be believed. If it does not, reject it. This response of the Bereans has been recorded for our benefit, so that with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can discern the truth (1 John 4:1-3).
From: June 26, 2012
Hmm… I think I’ll keep my commentary to a minimum on this… It speaks for itself.