The Arameans had surrounded the capital of Israel, and the people inside were starving and desperate. Unbeknownst to the Israelites, the Lord had sent the Aramean camp fleeing, leaving everything behind.
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Beyond the city walls, out in the desert, the Lord spread out a rich banquet. Thing is, nobody knew it. So the people continued to eke out an existence on tree bark and bird dung.
The lepers, realizing they had nothing to lose, ventured outside the city. When they wandered into the empty camp of the enemy, they found the tents filled with food and treasure. They began to stuff their faces as well as their pockets. However, the more they feasted, the emptier they felt. They were only able to completely enjoy their stumbled-upon banquet when they turned, ran, and told the good news to their starving neighbours.
The pleasures of God are never private pleasures. They are, as Dr. John Piper says, “always shared, public, and communal.” The joy we experience in our salvation is true, radiant, and sincere only when we share it with others. The writers of the Bible say, “Let us exalt his name together” (Ps. 34:3).
The apostle Paul served many a banquet plate up to others, calling them “my joy and crown” (Phil. 4:1). The apostle John doubled his joy whenever he brought someone new to the Good News table. My motive in writing this daily devotional is the desire to double my joy by passing the plate of God’s blessings to as many people as I can.
What aspect of the gospel can you share with someone today? Pass the platter to a person who’s hungry…and experience the joy!
You CAN read the Bible through in a year. Start today!
Mon: Romans 3:21-6:23, Matthew 13:10-23, Psalm 125, Prov 4:3-4
Tues: Romans 7:1-9:16, Matthew 13:24-35, Psalm 134, Prov 4:5-13
Wed: Romans 9:17-11:36, Matthew 13:36-46, Ps 138, Prov 4:14-17
Thurs: Romans 12-14, Matthew 13:47-58, Psalm 141, Prov 4:18-19
Fri: Romans 15-16, Matthew 14:1-12, Ps 145:1-13, Prov 4:20-22
Sat: Ecclesiastes 1-4, Matthew 14:14-21, Proverb 4:23-24
Sun: Ephesians 5:21-33, Song of Solomon 2:1-7, Ps 45, Pro 5:15-19
2 Kings 7:9