Day 182: Consider the Legacy

Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 17:34-41

Central Thought: We need to consider the example we are setting-the legacy we are leaving-for others.

What kind of legacies are we leaving? Some feel only elderly people need to worry about that issue. They may feel there is plenty of time to live as they wish without worrying about the example they set. Yet, history shows us the high price people pay when they do not consider the legacy they live.

The ten northern tribes of Israel did not consider their own legacy. Verse 41 says, ‘Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols” (NIV). Such moral confusion led to the end of these tribes as a nation. Those not killed by the Assyrian invasion were assimilated into Assyrian culture. Only the tribes of Judah, a remnant of Benjamin, and Levi remained to preserve the national identity.

We must consider the example of our own lives if we want to see others won into the kingdom of God. Non-Christians need to see people genuinely living for God if they are to be drawn to our Savior. Leaving a strong legacy of faithfulness will also impact the generations that follow. We should want all of our descendants to serve the Lord.

Devotional Prayer: Show me ways that I can be a better example of Christ living in me.

Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7