May 13

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR MAY 13, 2026: 2 KINGS 22, 2 CORINTHIANS 13, PSALM 41:5-13

2 KINGS 22 The eight-year-old boy Josiah became King after his father Amon died. He was exceptional, reigning in the manner of King David. At age 26, he told his aid to take the money from the Temple and give it to the workers to repair the Temple. He gave them the money be- fore they even did the work because he knew they were honest. Talk about great repair people! While they were getting the money, they stumbled on the Book of the Law—far more valuable than all the money in the treasury. 

When it was read to the King, he tore His clothes. Don’t do that while reading this chapter, but in those times, it was a gesture of great sorrow. Josiah was disturbed. He discerned that God’s wrath must be great toward Judah because they had not been in obedience to what was written. Today, some might find a misplaced Bible, read it, and be aghast for just the opposite reason: it is so out of step with common behavior today. We too often seek to make the Bible conform to us rather than seek to conform with God’s Word. Instead, Paul advises: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is.” (Rom. 12:2).

Immediately the leadership sought the prophetess Huldah for direction from God. (Yes, women were and still can be prophets-1 Cor. 11:5.) She confirmed Josiah’s fears and said that God would bring judgment on Jerusalem for abandoning God and offering false worship. But because King Josiah’s heart was tender, and he humbled himself (i.e. tore his clothes), he would not see the devastation of Jerusalem in his lifetime. Question for all of us: Are we reading God’s word regularly and obeying it entirely or are we abandoning God and acting according to our own desires or current cultural practices? 

2 CORINTHIANS 13 Paul informs the church that he intends to make his third visit to them soon and will not spare anyone. Ever have such a guest at your home? He reminds them how to practice church discipline, likely so they can get ready for his visit by clearing up any bad practice. He also recommends that they test themselves to see if they are really Christians.

Paul does not tell us in this chapter what this test entails. Remember he also told them to examine themselves in 1 Cor. 11:28-32, but again no methodology was given. He does give them lots of examples of behavior that would indicate they are not Christians in 1 Cor. 6:9-10. Theology professor Kevin DeYoung finds that 1 John gives three good signs to determine this:

READING FOR MAY 13, 2026 CONTINUED: 2 CORINTHIANS 13, PSALM 41:5-13                       

  • Theological Sign—We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (5:10-13), that He came to earth as a man (4:2) who was the promised Christ/Messiah (2:22), and that it is He alone in whom we trust as our Lord or total master (4:14-16, 5:1, 5).
  • Moral Sign—We must live a righteous life (3:6-9) and confess our sins when we fail to do so (1:9-10). Again see 1 Cor. 6:9-10 for a list of unrighteous behavioral examples.
  • Social Sign—We must love other Christians (3:14, 4:7-12, 21).

Dr. DeYoung states all three signs must be present (2:4, 6: 4:20, 5:2). Since Paul states we should test ourselves, LET’S TAKE THE TEST.

Paul closes the letter by affirming a blessing for them from each person of the Trinity: Grace from God the Son, Love from God the Father, and Fellowship from God the Spirit.

PSALM 41:5-13 In verse 4 David confesses to sinning against God and asks for mercy. Then he quickly lists additional reasons he needs mercy. He describes enemies that say one thing in his presence and then slander him when they leave--the opposite of speaking truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Perhaps the deepest wound is the betrayal of David’s close friend who had dined with him. In fact, Jesus quoted this verse 9 in describing Judas at the last supper (John 13:8).

David remains confident of God’s love for him, though, because he had not been defeated by these enemies. Furthermore, he asks to be healed so that he might repay them. This kind of repayment is of course not our prerogative. Possibly David had the obligation to execute this judgment, though, as head of state: “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Rom. 13:4).

David concludes by praising the God of Israel, not a god of his own making. He also reminds us that the God of Israel had no beginning and has no ending. He is the only eternal being that exists. He deserves our praise. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.