July 20th, 26: 2 Chronicles 29–31; James 4 : Daily Bible in a Year

Welcome to the July 20th episode of the Daily Radio Bible. Today, Heather invites us to join in community with people around the world as we journey through the Scriptures, seeking to encounter Jesus, the true source of life. Our readings cover 2 Chronicles 29–31, where King Hezekiah leads a powerful restoration of worship, cleanses the temple, and calls the people back to God with humility and renewed devotion. We conclude with James 4, reflecting on humility, overcoming inner conflicts, and drawing near to God. As we listen, Heather encourages us to clear out the “junk” from our own hearts and to come before God with honesty and humility, trusting in His grace and guidance for this new day.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

He humbled himself before the Lord. In Hezekiah, we see a king unlike so many before him—one who earnestly seeks God, choosing humility and obedience over pride and neglect. When Hezekiah takes the throne, his first act isn't to pursue power or personal gain, but to reopen the temple and call people back to worship. He sees that the altar, meant for the presence of God, has become cluttered—full of junk, forgotten things, and memories of unfaithfulness. It took sixteen days for the Levites to clear it out, to purify the space, to make it ready once again for true worship.

And so it is for us. Humility before God isn't something that just happens; it requires intention, effort, and honesty about the things in our lives that have piled up over time. Disappointments, resentments, fears—these are the things that gather in the corners of our hearts and keep us from an open and honest relationship with God. We might be tempted to ignore them, to let the clutter gather, but God gently calls us to begin the work of clearing it out.

James tells us, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." We don't have to be stuck in the patterns of the past. God invites us each day to come close, to bring him the mess, to let him help us clear away what divides us from him. This isn't just about feeling better; it’s about being renewed, restored, and able to receive the encouragement, peace, and presence of Christ. The same God who restored the temple through Hezekiah is able to restore us as we humble ourselves and seek him.

Let this day—this moment in Scripture—be a turning point, an act of humility where we invite God to do a new work in us. May we choose to bow our hearts, clear out the junk, and receive God’s mercy and grace. As we come boldly before his throne, let us trust that he will help us, heal us, and use us for his purposes.

That is my prayer for myself, for my family, and for you. May it be so.