When Events Are Shocking, Think

2 Kings 2:23-25 (NLT?)
As [Elisha] was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. … He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.

This account of the prophet Elisha is a bit shocking, isn’t it? As he was walking along, minding his own business, a pack of boys with an attitude called him a name and got mauled by bears. It’s stories like this that cause some to argue that there is a difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. How many times have you heard someone say, “A loving God wouldn’t do that”? The God of the Old Testament is exactly the same God of the New Testament. God does love everyone, but He doesn’t love every thought, attitude, and behavior. He is a God of love and a God of judgment, and it is only the blood of Jesus that saves us from His wrath.

THINK ABOUT IT
When we see unusual events in the Bible, it’s worth asking what thought, attitude, or behavior led to those circumstances. Were they godly or ungodly?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word—all of it. Help me to see Your character, Your love, Your judgment, and Your truth as I read through the Scriptures. Give me a heart that’s ready to receive Your Word so I can follow You with more steadfast obedience each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.