Scripture:

2 Kings 25:27-29

27  In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. 28 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. 29 So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. 30 Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived.

A Seat at the Table

Today is a wow day.   As you read the text, you have to understand that Jehoiachin was a guy who repeated the mistakes of his father and did evil in the sight of the Lord, turned away from God, and because of it spent 37 years in prison.   But here, after the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, King Awel-Marduk becomes king, and he releases him from prison, speaks kindly to him, and gives him a seat at the table- not only a seat, but one of honor even higher than those at the table.    Isn't this the picture of the Gospel, isn't it our story in some measure?

Listen to the word:

• Set Free
• Spoke Kind Words Over
• A Place Forever at the King's Table

Application:

Our God-Shot today:

This is our story: we were enemies of God, deserving of punishment, but God in His great mercy sent His Son to die for you and I and because He did, we can be free from our prison through Him. Because of His grace and mercy, we have a seat at the table; He speaks kindly over us, not harshly, nor does He deal with us that way.   It is not because we are good, or we have earned our way; it is because of His sacrifice, His GRACE we have a seat at the table.

Lord, thank you for the gift of salvation. In your power, you redeemed me from the pit, through your Son Jesus Christ, and I have been set free from the bonds of sin and death.    Thank you for the grace giving me what I don't deserve (kindness), and not giving me what I do deserve. I praise you as I read today's portion in Jesus' name, Amen!