Day 121: 2 Kings 25:1 - 1 Chr 1:54

It would be easy to put down the Bible at this point and be incredibly depressed. After reading stories of a creation that could only be accomplished by the One true God, world changing floods, and God rescuing His people again and again and again, it's difficult to watch the powerful nation of Israel split into two and then the last remnant carried away to a foreign nation to live in exile and tyranny. As much as one might want to put the book down and turn to something more "pleasant," we can't forget that as dark as things may be right now for the children of Israel, their God is a God of redemption and we know that if we can just hold on through a few more books of the Bible, God will somehow bring them through. I think that if the Children of Israel can keep their faith in God to save them from spending years and years in exile, I can have enough faith to hold tight until I see them redeemed.

- Lord, thank you so much for being a God of mercy. Although we've seen the side full of wrath and anger in these last passages, we see it not as a person angry at another person, but as a father willing to go as far as possible to teach His children the importance of discipline. Thank You for teaching me discipline through Your Word and for also showing us Your love and mercy. -