Power of Connection
Devotional #7
July 2, 2023
Scriptures:
2 Kings 20:5-6 Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”
Devotion:
“Please, O Lord, remember now [with compassion] how I have walked before You in faithfulness and truth and with a whole heart [entirely devoted to You], and have done what is good in Your sight.”, were the words of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20. He was told shortly before this prayer to prepare his house, as his time had come to die. Imagine hearing those words and wanting to live. Pleading with God so that he can extend your life.
Hezekiah did just that and the Lord’s response through his prophet Isaiah, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I am healing you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life and save you and this city [Jerusalem] from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will protect this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” Did you catch that?? God extended his life for David’s (his ancestor) sake. This scripture speaks to the power of connection.
As a believer, the spiritual and physical connections we have carry weight. This is similar to business. Think of a time you were given access to something because of the connection you or someone connected to you had. If it weren’t for that connection you may not have been given the access you desired, regardless of the skill, charm, or intellect you have.
This brings me to this point. In our walk with Christ, our connections matter. John 15:4 says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” Because we remain in Christ and he in us (hint: connection!) we will bear fruit.
The same goes for our personal lives and the people we surround ourselves with. Have you heard the saying birds of a feather flock together?? This means you have the ability to influence those around you, as do they have the ability to influence you. Good or Bad.
Look at King Solomon, after he married outside of his people, he began to do what they did and worshiped other gods. Here is a man who loved God, but was influenced because of his connections.
God desires for us to be connected to those who are like him. People who will lead us towards his perfect will and not away. Those who will increase our access and not hinder it. So as you are meditating on this devotional, I will leave you with this question, who are you connected to?
