June 23rd, 26: 2 Kings 8-9, 2 Chronicles 21, 1 Timothy 4: Daily Bible in a Year

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible for June 23rd. On today’s episode, we journey through powerful and turbulent moments in Israel’s history, reading from 2 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 22 and 23, and 1 Timothy 5. We’ll witness the violent zeal of Jehu as he wipes out Baal worship, the rise of young King Joash in Judah through courage and faith, and receive practical teachings from Paul on caring for widows and elders in the early church. Together, we’ll reflect on the shortcomings of human zeal compared to the peace, righteousness, and new beginnings offered through God’s radical love in Christ. As we move through scripture and prayer, may you be encouraged to rest in the results of God’s zeal, open your heart to his presence, and walk in his joy today.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

Jehu’s devotion was radical and uncompromising—a devotion that expressed itself in violence and zeal. He set out to rid Israel of BAAL worship, and the results were undeniable: temples destroyed, idols shattered, and those loyal to BAAL swept away. Yet that same zeal left the streets soaked in blood and families in ruins. This kind of zealous effort certainly gets results, but it’s not the result God ultimately wants for us. It’s not peace. It’s not the true rightness that our hearts are hungry for.

The story reminds us that even the most determined human effort—no matter how passionate or sincere—can only go so far. Human zeal might shake up kingdoms, but it can’t bring about the peace our souls crave. Violence, holy war, radical striving—none of these will yield what we truly need. Our greatest need is not for more striving but for deep, lasting peace with God, for joy and for standing right before him. Those are gifts only one can give.

There is only One whose zeal brings what humanity needs. And the results are not the shedding of others’ blood, but in his own—God himself, through Jesus, giving his life in co-suffering, self-giving love for this broken world, for us. Jehu is a flawed mirror—a shadow pointing forward to a greater zeal, a purer power. In Christ, we see the true answer to the question of what brings redemption. Isaiah told us: “For a child is born, a son is given… and the government will rest on his shoulders… the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

It’s God’s zeal—not ours, not Jehu’s, not anyone else’s—that wins the right results in our lives and this world. God’s passion in Christ has given us a new beginning, true freedom, and real joy. Everything that needs to be accomplished for us has already been done by Jesus. No one else will do. No other zeal is enough.

Let us rest in the results of his zeal. Let us put down the burden of striving to be enough or do enough. Instead, may we abide in what Christ has finished for us—the peace, the standing, the welcome, and new life his love has won. That’s the prayer I’m praying today for my own heart, for my family, and for you. May it be so.