Milo

2 Kings

INTRODUCTION

Second Kings picks up the history of the Divided Hebrew Kingdom where 1 Kings left off. The progressive decline of the Northern Kingdom was unbroken by any hint of revival, ending with its conquest by Assyria in 722 B.C. The Southern Kingdom, Judah, survived the Assyrian threat, but it too deteriorated spiritually and was finally crushed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Second Kings again features stories of God’s prophets and their relationships with the rulers of the two kingdoms. Most prominent among the prophets are Elijah and Elisha, while godly kings responsible for Judah’s preservation include Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Elijah and Elisha	2 Kings 1:1–8:15
II.	Israel’s Decline	2 Kings 8:16–17:41
III.	Judah and Assyria	2 Kings 18–23
IV.	Judah and Babylon	2 Kings 24–25

March 1
BRING THEM IN
Alexcenah Thomas, 19th century
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16)
During this month our attention is often focused on the ministry of our Sunday schools. The Sunday school has been the church’s chief agency for reaching and teaching children for the past two centuries. It would be impossible to measure the extent of its spiritual influence during that time.
The Sunday school movement began in England during the lifetime of Robert Raikes (1736–1811), who was often called the “founder of the modern Sunday school.” Raikes became intensely concerned with the spiritual and social conditions of the great masses of poor illiterate children. Since education was reserved for the wealthy, four out of five poor children had no schooling. Child labor was shamefully exploited. In the midst of these conditions Raikes began taking children off the streets and teaching them biblical truths as well as the ability to read and write.
Later the followers of John and Charles Wesley, the Methodists, began establishing Sunday schools, first in England and then in America following the Revolutionary War. Still later the Sunday school movement was encouraged further by the founding of the American Sunday School Union in 1824. As this concern for children developed, it became apparent to Christian leaders that music is a natural means for working with children, since most children respond readily to musical activities. This desire to reach and teach children for Christ through appropriate songs was one of the important factors that led to the rise of the gospel song movement during the latter half of the 19th century.
“Bring Them In” has been widely used since being published in 1885 by its composer William Ogden, who was known for his work with children’s music.
Hark! ’tis the Shepherd’s voice I hear, out in the desert dark and drear, calling the sheep who’ve gone astray far from the Shepherd’s fold away.
Who’ll go and help this Shepherd kind, help Him the wand’ring one to find? Who’ll bring the lost ones to the fold where they’ll be sheltered from the cold?
Out in the desert hear their cry, out on the mountains wild and high. Hark! ’tis the Master speaks to thee, “Go find my sheep where’er they be.”
Chorus: Bring them in, bring them in, bring them in from the fields of sin; bring them in, bring them in, bring the wand’ring ones to Jesus.

For Today: Psalm 96:2, 3; Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 13:39; Matthew 18:12

Spend time in prayer for your church Sunday school—the leaders and teachers who have assumed the important responsibility of ministering the Christian faith to children and youth. At your first opportunity let them know of your prayerful concern and appreciation for their work.

March

• Sunday School Favorites • Songs For and About Children/Youth

1.

Bring Them In
2.

Jesus Loves Me
3.

O How I Love Jesus
4.

Wonderful Words of Life
5.

Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord
6.

No, Not One!
7.

Brighten the Corner
8.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
9.

The Lord’s My Shepherd
10.

Shepherd of Eager Youth
11.

Dare to Be a Daniel
12.

I Would Be True
13.

Yield Not to Temptation
14.

Standing on the Promises
15.

More Secure Is No One Ever
16.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
17.

Trust and Obey
18.

I Must Tell Jesus
19.

Be Thou My Vision
20.

Higher Ground
21.

Redeemed
22.

Nothing But the Blood
23.

There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
24.

Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
25.

When He Cometh
26.

We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
27.

We’re Marching to Zion
28.

When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
29.

When We All Get to Heaven
30.

Now the Day Is Over
31.

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

February 29
IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING
Anna L. Warning, 1823–1910
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–6)
Those who were born on this day are special people—they celebrate only one fourth as many birthdays as the rest of us. But the Bible tells us of something else that makes someone special—spiritual rebirth:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
The Scriptures also teach that as believers we enjoy many special privileges. We are heavenly people—our citizenship is in the heavenlies with Christ. Even now we are seated positionally with Him in glory. In Christ we have access to His storehouse of riches; we are the possessors of all heavenly blessings. We have been given a heaven-born nature that responds to spiritual nourishment—the Living and Written Word. While we seek to be worthy representatives for God in this life, our affections are already centered on things above. This occupation with heavenly values enables us to rise above the mundane circumstances and storms that often cross our earthly paths and provides the enablement we need to live a life of daily victory. And while we await the day of our final victory, we live in the enjoyment of our future inheritance. In a sense, then, we are “in heavenly love abiding” already.
The author of this hymn text, Anna Laetitia Warning, was raised as a Quaker in South Wales but later joined the Anglican church. In later life she took on a busy ministry of visiting prisoners in jail. She was known and loved for her gentle but cheerful spirit.
In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear; and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here. The storm may roar without me; my heart may low be laid, but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me, no fear shall turn me back; my Shepherd is beside me, and nothing shall I lack. His wisdom ever waketh; His sight is never dim; He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen; bright skies will soon be o’er me, where darkest clouds have been. My hope I cannot measure; my path to life is free; my Savior is my treasure, and He will walk with me.

For Today: Ephesians 1:3–14; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1, 2

Live this day as an heir of the heavenly kingdom. Face each situation that may arise with the absolute confidence that God is round about you.

February 28
SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY
Words and Music by Lelia N. Morris, 1862–1929
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is not wickedness in Him.” (Psalm 92:12–15)
For the believer, growing older should mean a greater awareness of God’s love and fellowship as well as a time of greater usefulness in Christian service. The golden years can and should be the most fruitful time of life. A lifetime of companionship with God should result in a mellow and gracious Christ-like spirit. Because there are fewer demands and pressures for life’s necessities, the older Christian should have opportunities for effective ministry that he never before attempted.
There is nothing more tragic, however, than to see a professing Christian become disgruntled and self-centered in later years. It is true that we simply bring into full bloom the traits that were begun in our early years. If we wish to have positive and productive attitudes in our senior years, we must begin to develop these traits while we are still young.
Author and composer Mrs. Lelia Morris was an active worker in the Methodist church. She continued to write gospel songs during the last 15 years of her life, even after going blind in her early fifties. “Sweeter as the Years Go By” was written during the early years of her blindness. It is said that during this difficult time in her life, Mrs. Morris used a 28-foot long blackboard with music lines on it to help her hymn writing. In all, Lelia Morris wrote more than 1,000 hymn texts, as well as many of the tunes. Her handicap never deterred her from being effective and productive for God. Even in blindness she found her Lord sweeter as the years went by.
Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin; of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again; of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea, and higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.
He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago; the people thronged about Him His saving grace to know; He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see; and still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.
’Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss—to bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross; with saints redeemed in glory let us our voices raise, till heaven and earth re-echo with our Redeemer’s praise.
Refrain: Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by; richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by.

For Today: Psalm 92:12, 14; Proverbs 16:31; John 15:10, 11

Seek out a respected elderly person. Learn his secret for a contented and useful life with God. Keep this musical message upon your lips—