A Daily Rate for All the Days of His Life - 2 Kings 25:30

By Dr. Benjamin George

His allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life - 2 Kings 25:30
We Christians around the world could not have a better verse from the Bible to find solace and hope in our predicament of today. It was a time in Israel when the political and economic situation was not very different from our days now. People didn’t know what to do or where to go? The leaders too were confused and couldn’t make proper judgment to solve the crisis. The Babylonians conquered Israel and took the king and most of the people exile.

The King of Babylonia showed kindness to King Jehoiachin of Judah by releasing him from prison. Not only that, Jehoiachin was permitted to change from his prison clothes and to dine at the king's table for the rest of his life. Each day, all his life he was given a regular allowance for his needs.

I was greatly encouraged by the exposition of this passage by the ‘‘King of the preachers, C H Spurgeon’. You who are going through dire needs today could get no better consolation and counsel than you have here. So I quote him here from his daily writings:

“Jehoiachin was not sent away from the king’s palace with a store to last him for months, but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord’s people. A daily portion is all that a man really wants. We do not need tomorrow’s supplies; that day has not yet dawned, and its wants are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet; if we have enough for each day as the days arrive we shall never know want.

Sufficient for the day is all that we can enjoy. We cannot eat or drink or wear more than the day’s supply of food and raiment; the surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveller, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the greatest glutton can truly enjoy.

This is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more, we should be content with his daily allowance. Jehoiachin’s case is ours. We have a sure portion, a portion given us of the king, a gracious portion, and a perpetual portion. Here is surely ground for thankfulness.

Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you. In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy”.

Very often I pray for the many needy people who come for our altar calls. Every time I ask them whether they have trusted in the Lord. If they have, invariably my next question is, “Do your read God’s Word every day?” Sadly few are those who do! Dear believer in need, how can you get anything from God, if you have no time for Him in your daily life? Heed Spurgeon’s counsel. Daily read the Word and hear from God. Spend time in prayer to Him daily. Ask for your ‘daily needs’. He will give.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I am in deep trouble and I need You to help me. Make me know that help can come only when I keep in touch with You, the Helper! Amen.


BIBLE READING FOR TODAY 2 KINGS 25

26 Then all the Israelites, rich and poor alike, together with the army officers, left and went to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Babylonians.
27 In the year that Evilmerodach became king of Babylonia, he showed kindness to King Jehoiachin of Judah by releasing him from prison. This happened on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year after Jehoiachin had been taken away as prisoner.
28 Evilmerodach treated him kindly and gave him a position of greater honor than he gave the other kings who were exiles with him in Babylonia.
29 So Jehoiachin was permitted to change from his prison clothes and to dine at the king's table for the rest of his life.
30 Each day, for as long as he lived, he was given a regular allowance for his needs.