Week of 4/4/21 - Pages 177 - 181

As I read this portion of the book of Daniel, I marvel that it was written 535 BC, but addressed some of the same things written in Revelation in 95 AD.  It talks about the Annointed One (Christ) being rejected and killed by His own people, when obviously that won’t have happened for another 573 years.  Also talks about the antichrist and the battle between him and his minions and the powers of God’s army, relayed later in John’s writings in Revelation.

 I found it difficult to sort through Daniel’s visions, even when offered the explanations by Gabriel, so I went to my “cheater” bible and other sources to get a better feel for what was going on in those visions.  Interesting that one of the “horns” in the vision represented Greece, but Greece as a world power, and Alexander the Great, had not really come to their positions of power until much later in time.

 But the main thing I got of these readings was that Israel was still going down the wrong direction and not being righteous and Daniel realized it when Gabriel explained it to him.  Daniel prayed fervently to God for mercy and God listened to him.  I think that sometimes I need Gabriel to come alongside me and help me to see clearly and act accordingly.  Guess I need to work on my prayer life.

Week of 3/28/21 - Pages 157 - 173

As I read the book of Daniel, I couldn’t help but think of an old children’s song from a time when my kids were in vacation Bible school:

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego . . . 

Three faithful boys who wanted to know how to grow . . .

In the love of the Lord.”  

It’s a cute tune, but it’s the kind that gets stuck in your head and loops over and over and over again.  It actually becomes kind of irritating, and I start to think of this book as just a collection of children’s stories. So in reading the book of Daniel, I was very excited to rediscover the power of these stories.  Daniel is a book of hope and deliverance for God’s people facing tough times, and we have certainly faced tough times over the past year.

The book of Daniel is written at a time when Israel was in exile.  King Nebuchadnezzar had besieged and conquered Jerusalem, and carried away the temple treasure and many captives back to Babylon.  In his efforts to integrate and change the people of Judah, he recruited young men of Judah’s royal and noble families into the palace to be trained for royal service.  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were the best and brightest of all of Judah, and they were chosen.  They were given Babylonian names, trained in the language and literature of Babylon, given the food and wine of the king, and after three years entered royal service.  They performed their royal jobs very well.  Essentially, they were molded into good Babylonians . . . or so the king thought.

There are many stories and visions of bravery, hope and deliverance in this book, but I’m going to focus on the first story about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  King Nebuchadnezzar issued an order for everyone in the kingdom to bow down and worship his golden statue.  Those refusing will be thrown into a blazing furnace.  Despite all the training and pressure to conform, Shadrach, Meshach and Adednego refused to compromise their faith and worship the golden statue even at the risk of their deaths.  Their response to the king is stunning:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up”

Wow, that is complete confidence in God’s authority over every ruler, over every situation and over every outcome.  That is the kind of faith that Jesus recognized in the Roman Centurion, the kind that understands how power and authority work, and who really has it.  It is the kind of faith that trusts God no matter the outcome, and the kind of faith that doesn’t conform to the culture around it.  God did rescue Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the furnace and they went on to even higher positions in Babylon.  I want that kind of faith, but without the testing that these guys had to endure.

Three key takeaways for me from this story:

·       Although Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego successfully and effectively worked within the Babylonian society, they were never fully conformed to the culture.  Their identity was rooted in God of Israel.  I need to be the same way.  Romans 12:2.

·       Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego trusted in God’s goodness.  No matter the outcome, they placed their hope and confidence in God – not in some king, government or anything else.  I need to make sure my hope, confidence and trust doesn’t get misplaced into something else.

·       When faced with difficult times, I can look to these young men (and the whole book of Daniel) to give me hope that God will deliver his people in the end.  My calling is to stay faithful to my identity in Christ.

So, I’m sure the old vacation Bible school song will continue to rattle around in my brain, but when it does I will reflect more deeply on these three young men, how they are incredible examples of bravery, of being in the world but not of the world, and most importantly, how God delivered them from the blazing furnace.

Week of 3/21/21 - Pages 143 - 155

The Book of Esther has always intrigued me.  I like a good story of the good guys seeming to overcome all odds to be victorious in the end over evil!  Esther is more than just a story, it is part of the inspired Word of God given to us for our “teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  What can we learn from Esther’s story, from approximately 479 BC that would apply to us now?  

The first concept that stood out to me was the sovereignty of God; God is in control of ALL things. His Sovereignty is seen throughout the weaving of all the events of this story, from God’s hand in giving Esther favor at the palace all the way to the point of Esther becoming the Queen of Persia, to Mordecai’s intervention in a plot to kill the king to his being honored in front of his enemy.  

Second, God’s care and deliverance of his people is undeniable in this period of history.  An edict by the king, which could not be reversed, gave the Persians the right to eliminate all the Jews living in their land, and the right to take all their property if they killed them.  In an impossible situation, God provided for not only the Jew’s deliverance, but for their blessing while living in this land of Persia.  God Loves his people!

Third, God also calls his followers to action, in the case of Esther, action at great personal danger and sacrifice.  My favorite line in this book is at the bottom of p. 149 after Mordecai has asked Esther to plead for the Jews to the king without being invited (and without the king showing mercy to her by extending his scepter to her, would mean her death).  He says to her, “If you kept quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.  Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”  Mordecai had faith that God would rescue his people, one way or another, even though he did not know how.  Esther trusts her uncle Mordecai and her God to risk everything to plead for the recue of the Jews.  It makes me think we are all where God wants us to be, in this time and place.  It is no accident He has placed us here; let us seek him, trust him, follow him, obey him for the glory of God! 

Week of 3/14/21 - Pages 129 - 141

In the section I am writing about Nehemiah tells the people to go out and to celebrate even though they were right in the middle of being penitent after hearing the law of the Lord read to them.  He even gave them particulars in how to celebrate by eating a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks and to share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.  Then he tells them not to be dejected and sad for the joy of the Lord is their strength! This sounds so counterintuitive!

When Ezra (the scribe) said this he was speaking to the remnant of Israel who had returned to Judah to rebuild the city and its temple. It was a time of restoration, not only of the ruined city, but also of obedience to the law of God. The word “Joy” occurs 218 times in the Bible.
Followers of Jesus can consider difficult trials to be pure joy even if we would not choose the circumstances. Trials in life can help us become mature and complete (James 1:3-4). I believe Nehemiah through Ezra is telling us that the joy of the Lord can be found in all circumstances and there are even times when it is very permissible and we are encouraged to celebrate in the midst of a trial.
Today as I write these words we have had a monumental day in our world! The first person in the U.S. has received the first vaccine for Covid-19. Truly a day to celebrate after the world has endured a difficult year from the Pandemic and multiple other calamities.  Yes we have suffered, yes people are still sick, yes people have died and in the midst of it all the Lord has used science and medicine to bring forth a much needed vaccine! That we can celebrate!
Is there an area in your life that you are finding it difficult to find joy? Can you find a way to celebrate in the midst of this trial? Remember, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Week of 3/7/21 - Pages 115 - 129

I spent time last week with a 93 year-old woman who shared stories about her life growing up in New York. Her father was a butcher and her family lived above his shop. She had 2 brothers and 1 sister and she fondly remembers family meals around the kitchen table. But what stands out to her most about that time is how her mother, a devout Catholic, would spend one hour every day in prayer. No matter how much there was to do raising 4 young children in the midst of the Great Depression and World War II, her mom lived by the adage that she was too busy not to pray.

If I’m being completely honest, I must confess that I struggle in my prayer life. Often I’m focused on all I have to get done and I leave little room for slowing down to pray. Often I’m not sure how to pray; there is so much going on in our world and in my life that I don’t even know where to begin. And then there are the times I doubt whether my prayers will really change anything—will God really act because I pray. Perhaps that is why I am drawn to Nehemiah’s prayer from this week’s Scripture reading. 

The book of Nehemiah demonstrates how prayer is powerful and pleasing to God and it shows us how to approach prayer in our own lives:

1.    His prayer invoked the character of God – Nehemiah’s prayer described and praised God at the same time (great and awesome God). It then made God’s character the foundation of God’s response to the prayer (the one who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love and obey him).

2.    His prayer recalled God’s promises — Nehemiah reminded God of his promise that if his exiled people returned to him in obedience he would redeem them and bring them back to the Promised Land. I am beginning to see that remembering God’s promises is critical to answered prayer.

3.    His prayer confessed the sins of himself and his nation – Nehemiah acknowledged his own guilt and admitted the sins of his people in not obeying God’s commands. 

4.    His prayer emphasized his great need – Nehemiah prayed out of a broken heart weeping for the troubles his people were experiencing. Aren’t our prayers most fervent when we pray with the sense of great need and anguish?

After Nehemiah prayed, he still had to step out in faith to bring his plan before the king. The king could have charged Nehemiah with divided loyalty, but instead he responded with whole-hearted favor. Nehemiah’s prayer unleashed all of God’s influence and molded the will of the king. Such an important lesson as we begin to understand that we are too busy not to pray!

Week of 2/28/21 - Pages 103 - 115

God had promised through his prophet Jeremiah that he would bring his people back from captivity.  See Jeremiah 29:10-14.  The book of Ezra describes God’s faithfulness to his people and the events surrounding their return.

Upon their arrival, the priests rebuilt the altar and reinstituted sacrifices; then came the rebuilding of the temple; and finally (as we will see in Nehemiah) the Israelites rebuild the wall.  I find this sequence significant: first, comes a need for forgiveness and a way to get right with God; second, they need a means for worship and a place to meet with God; and then the people need security and protection from external threats.

Carrying out God’s plan was not without its challenges for the Israelites.  Enemies began opposing the temple rebuilding.  Notice their tactics: initially, the enemies pretend to offer their help to the Israelites, then they frustrate their plans, then they slander them to the authorities, and finally threaten them.  But, God’s will finally prevails and the temple is completed.

Of this same temple, Jesus said in Matt 12:6, “I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the temple!”

How could Jesus make such a bold claim about himself?

God is immense.  Paul says in Acts 17:24, “He is the God who made the world and everything in it.  Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples”.  In fact, Solomon says after building the first temple in Jerusalem, “But will God really dwell on earth?  The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.  How much less this temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)

And yet, in Jesus, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood , shed on the cross.” (Col 1:19-20)

Not only that, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to all who put their trust in him.  1Cor 3:16 says, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”

Col 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.  God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.”

So, how is Jesus greater than the temple?  He accomplished what the altar, the temple, and the wall could never do.  Those were symbols pointing us to the way, the truth, and the life.  Jesus brought us out of captivity from the kingdom of darkness and established us in his kingdom.  Jesus himself was the sacrifice once for all, that all who would believe in him would receive forgiveness of their sins.  He made a way for God to dwell in our hearts, and for us to worship him in Spirit and in truth.  And, he protects us; for nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (see Rom 8:39)

Let us worship God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Week of 2/21/21 - Pages 87 - 102

This is a raw and fascinating section of Judah’s history. Three things really stood out for me:  the importance of authentic God centered leadership; the seductive and derailing impact of spiritual pride for anyone, even ‘good kings’; and the times we either get ahead of God or don’t see our next assignment/direction from God correctly.  In the last one we carry out ‘our plan’ sometimes with far reaching and painful results.

In 2 Chronicles we see what a ‘good king’, someone who lives a life that is pleasing to God, has an immense positive influence over a tribe or nation.  Good character in leadership has a profound impact on people.  A king’s integrity, actual behavior, focus, and the words he use’s matter in the office of King as defined by YHWH. 

These kings continue the pattern of rule where their actions are ‘evil or displeasing to the Lord’ and or pleasing to God.   Hezekiah and Josiah were the ‘good’ Kings and four were not,  Manasseh, Amon, Jehoahaz, (Eliakim, aka Jehoiakim),  and Jehoiachin.  Although Manasseh, does a remarkable about face from a very ‘evil king’ to a ‘good king’.  In his journey as a King of Judah he would be conquered, then ridiculed and imprisoned by the Assyrian military commanders.  The scriptures give us some insight in his transformation.

But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God! (2 Chron 12-13)

To see this child king leave his twisted and arrogant ways to become ‘all in’ on the way of YHWH is stunning! His turn about is evident in his zeal for undoing what he had done with idol placement in the Temple and worshipping of idol’s, restoring God’s Temple, encouraging the people of Judah to worship the LORD their God, and rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. A sign of of hope for even the most hardened souls! The condition of “deep distress’ coupled with a humble sprit is often the seed for transformation to a better place when walking toward God instead of away.  King Manasseh led his kingdom down one path which brought tremendous turmoil for Judah’s people, war, death, and captivity by an occupying force.  When Manasseh changed and God accepted him Judah’s focus and outlook changed for the positive.

 The second observation is with King Hezekiah, a fascinating king. He broke away from the status quo by seeing King David and not his own father, King Ahaz, as the way to rule going forward. Young, wealthy, mindful of God’s ways, learning from Judah’s history, and a man of action he makes an important connection as a twenty-five year old king. 

Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They abandoned the Lord and his dwelling place; they turned their backs on him. They also shut the doors to the Temple’s entry room, and they snuffed out the lamps. They stopped burning incense and presenting burnt offerings at the sanctuary of the God of Israel.

“That is why the Lord’s anger has fallen upon Judah and Jerusalem. He has made them an object of dread, horror, and ridicule, as you can see with your own eyes. Because of this, our fathers have been killed in battle, and our sons and daughters and wives have been captured. But now I will make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us. My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him.” (2 Chron 29: 6-11)

King Hezekiah’s words are a timeless warning for a believer, a small group, a fellowship, a church, a denomination, an a nation that claims to follow God. 

In his rule, King Hezekiah demonstrated a clear vision of return to the covenant ways taught by Moses. Personal modeling of the very behavior he asks the people of Judah to follow in giving their resources toward worship, show his tangible support of the priests and Levites. He invited all of Judah to return to God for corporate worship.

I did not recall this bit of “Holy flexibility’ in my past readings.  Isn’t it sweet to see God’s mercy displayed because He see’s what is in the heart!  

Since many of the people had not purified themselves, the Levites had to slaughter their Passover lamb for them, to set them apart for the Lord. Most of those who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves. But King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal anyway, even though this was contrary to the requirements of the Law. For Hezekiah said, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.” And the Lord listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people. (2 Chron 30: 17-20)

In these years of King Hezekiah’s rule there was peace, prosperity, an abundance of spiritual worship and generosity to others.  Even over the top JOY.  Relationally it seems like God was pleased and the people were in the right state of mind and engagement for worshipping/glorifying God.

The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, including the priests, the Levites, all who came from the land of Israel, the foreigners who came to the festival, and all those who lived in Judah. There was great joy in the city, for Jerusalem had not seen a celebration like this one since the days of Solomon, King David’s son. Then the priests and Levites stood and blessed the people, and God heard their prayer from his holy dwelling in heaven. (2 Chron 30: 25-27)

King Hezekiah was successful as a follower of YHWH, a worshipper and leader.  

Then he faced a profound challenge when the Assyrian King Sennercherib was on conquest to take over Judah.  Hezekiah’s leadership skills kicked in and he led his military and people to prepare for a great siege. He was both shrewd and traditional in his preparation. Sennercherib had momentum as a conquerer.  He had defeated every tribe/nation and their ‘gods’  that stood in his way devastating all.  In his pronouncements YHWH’s demise would be no different.  In Judah, there must have been a see-saw of emotions vacillating between fear and courage.  Can we trust God against such a treat?  Hezekiah encouraged his people with these words.

“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. (2 Chron 32: 7-8)

When Sennercherib continued not only destroying and torturing the people in surrounding cities he added psychological warfare, to put doubt and confusion in the people of Judah minds and to undo any trust in YHWH. Sennercherib’s officers contempt was so strong that they mocked the LORD God as if he was just another wooden idol.  This challenged Hezekiah’s leadership to it’s core.  How would you or I respond to such a full attack? 

Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.  That is how the Lord rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the others who threatened them. So there was peace throughout the land. From then on King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations, and many gifts for the Lord arrived at Jerusalem, with valuable presents for King Hezekiah, too. (2 Chron 32: 20-22)

With the prophet Isaiah in passionate prayer we see Hezekiah’s faith displayed in the crucible of a ‘winner take all’ battle.   A tremendous miracle in history results with a surprise end for Sennercherib.

In the last sentence, ‘… King Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations … with valuable presents for King Hezekiah, too.” my second point takes shape.  Hezekiah experiences the glow of YHWH’s victory.  Respect and gifts come from other nations for this outcome. Could it be that Hezekiah’s inner life begins to focus on himself for the success? Did Hezekiah lose focus and perspective in the role of his office and personal walk with God?  

As the story continues Hezekiah confront’s a deathly illness and seeks God’s mercy.  God gives a dramatic and rarely seen extension to his life based on Hezekiah’s plea which reminded God of what he has done in the past for the LORD.  We learn in the book of  2 Kings he is given 15 more years of life!  He receives it and somehow in his personal spirit, pride would grow to his detriment and it would impact the people of Jerusalem as well.  Hezekiah became self-aware as God’s displeasure was expressed against Hezekiah and Jerusalem. Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride.   The author says “The LORD’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime’.  Another  huge grace moment for Hezekiah. 

Hezekiah is recorded as a person that ’succeeded in everything he did’.  Yet it is not the last statement about him in 2 Chronicles. 

 However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart. (2 Chron 32: 31)

We know from 2 Kings 20 that Hezekiah would live in the tension of the self pride of accomplishment and wealth verses a spirit of humility.  God was aware of this.  Thus the test.   In the Beatitudes Jesus describes one of the key traits of citizens of the Kingdom of God, is a humble spirit. Will God test me and/or you in our walk’s when we become distracted by ‘our’ accomplishments or successes?  When spiritual pride creeps in and takes root for us?  Does it need to be dealt with?  Yes! This Old Testament story shows even THEN God was disciplining/guiding those that called him LORD of their life.  God will discipline you and me.

The last observation in this text comes from King Josiah. A remarkable start for a child king who was a ‘good king’ and did what was pleasing to the Lord as he matured.  At an early age he was drawn to follow the example of King David.  Like Hezekiah he was very responsive to the teachings from the Mosaic covenant when the scroll, ‘the Book of the Law” was found in the Temple and read to him. He was like Hezekiah as a king. His journey gives testimony to those people who hear the Word of God and respond by doing it.  

Josiah had his great challenge too.  When King Neco of Egypt was traveling to a region north east of his kingdom to battle the Babylonians with those in Carchemish on the Euphrates River. Josiah took it as a treat to Judah.  Even after King Neco spoke through messengers to King Josiah that he had ‘no quarrel with the king of Judah’ Josiah was not convinced and took decisive action.  

The outcome was tragic.  Josiah died from his battle wounds.  A tremendous sorrow and lament fell across the land of Judah. 

Why Josiah?  Why did you choose this way?  The following is speculation. Two possibilities come to mind.  One, in Josiah’s zeal and devotion to God did Josiah move ahead of God’s leading?  When God is silent does impatience set in,  especially when we have a sense of urgency?  Is this another side of pride or taking control of the situation? Was he fighting the right battle in God’s timing and view?

A second possibility: Did Josiah ignore the obvious in the recorded dialog? King Neco’s was clear he was not looking for a battle with Judah.  Could Josiah not trust the King of Egypt?  He couldn’t see that God was using King Neco in a bigger picture?  

There is no record here if Josiah consulted his military advisors, the prophets, or God directly. This seems strange especially for a big decision like battling a powerful armed neighbor.  Other kings in Israel made their own decision’s and suffered the consequences. It does not appear God was planning to end Josiah’s life in this timeframe. No specific prophecy is recorded. Josiah made his choice and the consequences were severe not just for Josiah,  the last ‘good king’ of Judah. Judah itself would suffer with 3 more evil kings.  The demise of Judah would come soon with the fall of the Assyrian empire and it’s ally Egypt by King Nebuchadnezzar with the rise of the Babylonians.   Nebuchadnezzar would succeed in conquering and destroying Jerusalem as the prophets had foretold in 589 BCE. 

These three kings, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah offer great lessons in our own lives as we follow God. Our actions (especially if we are in a position of authority/servant leadership/shepherds that are good or evil will have an influence on those around us. As you walk with God staying in the place of humility, knowing God is in control, and listening for direction is a great posture to live out. Consulting with those brothers/sisters that have walked a little longer on the big decisions may serve you well.    

Week of 2/14/21 - Pages 76 - 87

Wholeheartedly

Wholeheartedly. In this week’s reading, this one word virtually jumped off the page at me. 

“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. … He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.” II Chronicles 25:1-2

Each new ruler chronicled in this book is introduced with an identity that illuminates their interaction with God. The rulers either: (i) did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight; OR (ii) did not do what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. For me, these catchphrases serve to signal whether I will be reading with anticipation…or anxiety.

I like to think I do what is pleasing in the Lord’s sight, and I don’t want to find much in common with King Amaziah. However, I’m afraid that “not wholeheartedly” is a descriptor that met some sad resonation in my soul. My mind immediately drifted to my own wanderings and the recurring root cause of such excursions. And what is this wretched root? Here it is: a stubborn “I’ve got this” disposition in certain aspects of life.

In our culture, an “I’ve got this” attitude is viewed as positive – a kingly impersonation of confidence in our control for a desired outcome.  My social life, my job and my finances, my family relationships, my … – “I’ve got this.” Really? I have even heard this phrase used in relation to the current pandemic! Yet, clearly “I” do not have this. Do you?!

Now, let us not dwell here in the negative, flogging prideful thinking. Rather, let us rest in this knowledge: In everycircumstance, the One who “has got this” is the Lord God Almighty!

Consider this week: Do you have “not wholeheartedly” areas of your relationship with God? I encourage you to aggressively identify obstacles between you and your Heavenly Father, and proclaim – with humble and submissive confidence – that “God has got this!” One of my favorite, classic hymns, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson, 1758), captures this trusting, “give-it-up” sentiment well:

Oh, to grace how great a debtor

daily I'm constrained to be!

Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee:

prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here's my heart, O take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

Amen!

Week of 2/7/21 - Pages 63 - 76

From this week's reading, my mind was captivated by the words on the second half of page 67 through the first half of page 69. On those pages the history lesson focuses on King Asa of Judah. More specifically I was captivated by the attributes of King Asa that earned him favor with the Lord. I realize that after the new covenant came into effect after Jesus, we do not have to earn favor with the Lord, that favor is a gift from Jesus, but I still love to learn from history what is pleasing to God. I still want to be pleasing to God, not to earn His favor, but to thank Him for inviting me (through the sacrifice of Jesus) into the shelter of His Kingdom.

On page 67 it says that king Asa “did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles”. Further down, it says “Asa also removed the pagan shrines as well as the incense altars from everyone of Judah’s towns”. It goes on to say that “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”.

While the new covenant was a game changer in terms of what is required of us to be acceptable to God. I don’t believe it changed God. So the eyes of the Lord may still search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. Boy do I need strengthening. So this morning as I walked and prayed I sought out any sacred pillars, idols, shrines or sinful patterns in my life. I really want to smash them. Possibly without those things I will be viewed as "fully committed to him" and He will search me out for a dose of His strengthening.

May God bless you all!

Week of 1/31/21 - Pages 50 - 62

This section of 2 Chronicles is a continuation of God’s covenant story with His chosen people Israel through the reign of King Solomon, King David’s son.  Solomon’s reign of prosperity was initially grounded in faith with praise to God for all things.  During the time Solomon and the people of Israel placed God first and worshipped no other gods, the nation of Israel was an example of faith to all nations and prospered.

When Solomon became king, his first public act was to lead the leaders and the entire assembly in worship where God’s Tabernacle was located.  Solomon asked for the Lord’s guidance, worshipped Him, and sacrificed thousands of offerings to the Lord.  When the Lord asked Solomon early in his reign what Solomon wanted, Solomon sought wisdom and knowledge from God to properly govern his people.  This answer pleased the Lord because Solomon put the Lord first.  As a result, the Lord gave him wisdom and knowledge but also blessed him with wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king before him has had nor in the future would ever have.    

Solomon sought the Lord’s will first and honored the Lord God by building a Temple for God’s people to worship God and offer sacrifices.  Solomon knew that God was bigger than the Temple but understood the people needed a place to worship and be reminded of God’s preeminence in their lives and the laws given through Moses.   Solomon also recognized through wisdom from God that the Temple and Solomon’s prosperity witnessed to others God’s love and care for His people.   King Hiram of Tyre, a neighboring country, praised the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.  The Queen of Sheba also declared “praise to the Lord who delighted in Solomon and placed him on the throne as king to rule for the Lord.” (page 61)

God blessed the Temple upon its completion by filling it with His presence in a thick cloud and spiritually uplifting all onlookers, including Solomon who praised God as he stood before the people.   Solomon’s words about God’s covenant with David and the future for God’s people reminded the people to put God first.  “If their descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow God’s Law, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.”    

On the other hand, if they did not follow the Lord and were punished, they could repent and be restored in their relationship with Him.  They “…are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against God, and if they turn back and acknowledge God’s name and pray to God here in this Temple, then [God will] hear from heaven and forgive the sin of [the} people Israel and return them to this land…” (page57)  

In the New Testament, Jesus always sought the will of God, the Father, first.  His desire above all else was to do the will of the Father.   Jesus knew his other needs would be met.   Through Jesus, God was ushering into the world the Kingdom of God in a new covenant with us to place God and service to Him first.  Jesus as our example for daily living demonstrated how to put God first in all aspects of our lives.  Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:33 highlighted this principal for daily living to us:  “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (physical needs) shall be yours as well.”

In this time of sheltering in place with fewer distractions competing for our attention, let us continue to focus our attention on the Lord first.  May the Lord and the Kingdom of God grow even stronger as our top priority when God delivers us from the COVID-19 pandemic.