The Lord Know All That is Going On...Be Mindful

2 Chronicles Chp 16

While Asa sought the Lord earlier in his reign, he soon loses faith as fear of Baasha the king of Israel leads Asa to seek an alliance with Syria.

¹ In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

  

² Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. ³ “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” 

While this provides initial protection for Asa and Judah, it is certainly not pleasing to the Lord as a seer in Judah soon rebukes Asa:

“Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. ⁸ Were not the Cushites^[b] and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen^[c]? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. ⁹ For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 

The message I hear is that:

• I must live in fear of God as and understand that God can see all; I cannot sin and believe that it will be overlooked by God; at the very least I must repent and seek forgiveness
• On the same note, I must live with the end in mind and focus on serving Him with all of my heart and soul; in the end if I am not judgement day will bear this out
• God's protection is there for those "whose hearts are fully committed to [H]im"

My Prayer: Lord, you ARE everpresent and ALL seeing and this is a GOOD thing because your protection, love and care is real and I have experienced it many times in my own life.  Forgive me when I take my eyes and focus off of you and place my faith on anyone but you.  I know I do this and I seek repentence and your forgiveness.  Help me truly focus my heart on you and love, trust and follow you with all of my heart and soul.

Rest Is For Those Who Seek God Eagerly

2 Chronicles Chp 15

Here in Chronicles we find King Asa who has an encounter with the prophet Azariah.  God speaks to Azariah and says:

Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. ³ For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. ⁴ But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. ⁵ In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. ⁶ One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. ⁷ But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (verses 2-7)

With this, Asa removed all of the idols and other vestiges of worship to other Gods, and sought the Lord.  All of Judah then turned to the Lord.

All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. (verse 15)

Rest is something I yearn for...many days I feel stress or fatigue and this I use as a means to justify many things, including sin.

If I seek God eagerly, I know I will be found by Him and I will get rest on every side.

My Prayer: You are so great, and your power and might is so great that I yearn to love and follow you eagerly.  Forgive me when I sin as I know many times this comes from the fact that I don't seek you out and my rest remains elusive.  Help me gain rest in and through you.

Humility Is Important No Matter What

2 Chronicles Chp 12

¹ After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD. ² Because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. ³ With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt, ⁴ he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. 

 ⁵ Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the LORD says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’”

 ⁶ The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just.” (verses 1-6)

What strikes me here is not that the Israelites abandoned the Lord or that they were attacked by Egypt and defeated because of this, it is that Israel responded that "The Lord is just".

This is not only an acknowledgement of sin but also that judgement is due from Him and Him alone.  If we are to make Him our God we must bow to his judgement and God alone can serve justice and we must say that He is just, whether we like His justice or not.  We do not have any right to refuse God's justice - it is what it is and we must accept it as His will for us to follow.

Our humility is important because it establishes our relationship with God - that He is supreme and that we are to serve His will. 

God responds to humility:

¹² Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah. (verse 12)

My Prayer: You alone reign supreme.  You are perfect, your work is perfect and your are pure and holy.  I know I am not and I need you.  Forgive me for how I fall short and help me lean on you to be refined, purified and transformed.  Help me remain humble and help me submit to your will, even in cases where you dole out justice that I do not like.  The Lord is just.

I Seek God's Wisdom Alone

2 Chronicles Chp 1

Although I have read this passage previously, it strikes me once again how Solomon seeks wisdom above all else.  This is pretty remarkable, particularly in light of all of the earthly distractions I personally face: worries over my job, $$, my own selfishness or greed, etc.  I wonder for myself whether if in Solomon's shoes I would ask as well for something similar.  I would hope so...

Two questions in my mind that hits me upon reading of this passage again (albeit in 2 Chronicles) is what kind of wisdom am I seeking?  And what do I most cherish and what do I want most?

On the first question, it is a mixed bag.  I am thankful that I am finally seeking the counsel of other men in my life and this is a good thing.  It is also good that I continue to seek the counsel of resources such as Men's Fraternity.  However, it is not good that I don't seek other sources, such as books that cover key topics, such as parenting, etc.

On the 2nd question, I can tell by what stresses me out what I cherish most.  I genuinely think I am a selfish person and I don't like it when things don't go my way.  This is flat out selfish.

My Prayer: Lord, your wisdom is perfect and your word is perfect. I am thankful for how you have transformed my life and you let me talk to you every day and you speak back to me every day (at least as often as I read my bible...)!.  Forgive me when I don't seek you out as I should, and forgive me for my laziness and my selfishness.  Lord, give me strength, and give me generosity.

Acknowledge Your Blessings As Those of God's Hand...And His Hand Alone

1 Chronicles Chp 29

I know I am blessed...with health, with family, with provision, with talents and abilities, yet I need to acknowledge how I am and how I am blessed is through God's hands alone and it is for His glory alone.

¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. ¹⁵ We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. ¹⁶ LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. ¹⁷ I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. (verses 14-17)

My Prayer: Lord, your love is great as is your mercy and compassion.  I am not worthy of your love, yet you love me anyway, and you love me no less. Forgive me for my sin in that I worry, I am greedy, and I am selfish, etc.  Help me understand that all that you provide for me is for your glory and I need to freely let these blessing flow through me to others to serve Him.

We Should Not Worry About Physical Things...It Is What Is In Our Heart

1 Chronicles Chp 17

I am struck by David's initial focus on a physical home for the ark where God's presence can be felt.

¹ After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”  (verse 1)

And even more struck by God's response to Nathan on this subject.

⁴ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. ⁵ I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. ⁶ Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ (verses 4-6)

First of all, why should we as humans think that we know what God needs?  Not to judge David (because we all do this from time to time), but how foolish!  Second, we should know that God is everywhere and most importantly he is in our hearts.  And finally, God does not want us to focus on earthly matters such as this.

We are most importantly to love Him and to love others.

My Prayer: Lord, your love is great...and it is so great that it cannot be contained!  Forgive me when I place walls around our faith and our love.  I should not compartmentalize and say that this place is not for God's love or this person is not for God's love - forgive me indeed!  Please Lord help me live life knowing that your love abounds and it cannot be contained and that I am to let my love of you flow freely and thoroughly from me both to you and to others with a purpose of glorifying you, serving you and bringing others to you.

Do I Wear My Love of Lord on My Sleeves?

1 Chronicles Chp 15

Although it was only 3 months ago that I read in 2 Samuel this same story, it is an important lesson and through a second reading I have gained addl insight. 

²⁹ As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.(verse 29)

If I am truly being a light, it is not just my worship that I must proclaim publicly, it is MY ENTIRE LIFE.  And now I recognize my sin because in my workplace I know I am not being a light and I am clearly not following God's will.

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters[.] Colossians 3:23

My Prayer: Lord, you are great and your wisdom and compassion is great.  I have sinned gravely for my horrible attitude at work.  Please forgive me and please help me remember that I am not working for human masters but for you and for your glory.  Help me do everything that I do with all of my heart so that people can clearly see my work as an instrument of God and have God shine through me.

Stay Close to the Lord, Inquire of Him, and Follow His Direction

1 Chronicles Chp 14

Here, David demonstrates how he stays close to the Lord, inquires of Him, follows Him, and he is blessed.

⁸ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. ⁹ Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; ¹⁰ so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” 

   The LORD answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

 ¹¹ So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. (verses 8-11)

and once again:

¹³ Once more the Philistines raided the valley; ¹⁴ so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. ¹⁵ As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” ¹⁶ So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. (verses 13-16)

The challenge then is:
1. Am I staying close to the Lord (reading God's word, reflecting on His word, praying and seeking His guidance in all things)
2. Doing God's will

My Prayer: Lord, your blessings in my life are many fold and I am not worthy.  I forsake what you have provided because I don't think they are good enough for me.  Please forgive me.  Help me stay close to you and help me follow your will.  I love you Lord.

Repentence and Love of Lord Does Not Mean No Suffering or Punishment

2 Kings Chp 23

Wow...rough story.  Here we have King Josiah, who after reading the Book of the Law, renews his covenant with the Lord (as did his followers), destroys all remnants of sin used by his predecessors, and loves the Lord as no one had done previously or after him:

²⁵ Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. (verse 25)

This is quite remarkable because we have King David who, albeit far from perfect, we all acknowledge as a great king and one who loved the Lord. Yet Josiah was truly great because he did as God asked most importantly which was to love and follow God with all of his heart and soul.

Although we know God as full of mercy and compassion - it is through grace alone.  Here he remains angry.

²⁶ Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger. (verse 26)

And finally, we see Josiah killed:

²⁹ While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo. ³⁰ Josiah’s servants brought his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. (verses 29-30)

While we are left to somewhat speculate how long Josiah lived and how full a life he lived, that he died in battle is testament to the notion that it is through grace alone that we live and are spared for any sin we commit.  God has a plan, and we must live with the end in mind.

My Prayer: Lord, I have seen your designs in my life and your mercy.  Your plan is perfect and your mercy and love is boundless.  Forgive me for my sin - help me purify myself from my sin as there is much to purge - worry, selfishness, laziness, greed, etc.  Help me focus on you and your will.  Help me love you as Josiah loved you.

Forgiveness is Available...You Must Repent

2 Kings Chp 22

When we read the bible, truth is revealed to us and we get a sense of how great God is, how much he loves us, how fallen we are, and that we have a God who died for us so we can be free of the cycle of sin, shame, and eternal damnation. 

Here we see young King Josiah who reads the Book of the Law and truth is revealed to him.

¹¹ When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. ¹² He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: ¹³ “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” (verses 11-13)

Josiah's response is appropriate and it is through God's grace alone that Judah is not destroyed.

‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: ¹⁹ Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse^[b] and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. ²⁰ Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”(verses 18-20)

Here we see our God and again how truly compassionate he is - while it is not promised that we will not be punished for our sin, forgiveness is always available, but as Josiah shows we must first demonstrate repentance.

My Prayer: Lord, your love truly abounds.  I am thankful for your mercy and compassion in my life and seek your forgiveness for my own behavior, particularly in the area of worry and behavior at work.  Help me with this and help me trust you more.

I Am Compelled To Take My Role As Head of Household Seriously

2 Kings Chp 21

Although I am no king, I am struck by the language used here to describe how King Manasseh led his people astray:

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.(verse 9)

Leaders are in roles of great responsibility and consequence and we must take these roles seriously.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48)

As a husband and father I am clear what my role is as a husband and a father and as head of the household, I need to shepherd the hearts of those in my family, including my wife, and my children.  The consequences of my inability to do this are great and the example of Manasseh implores me to really step up.

My Prayer: Lord, your example as a shepherd is great as you love all of those in your flock and care for each one with amazing love.  Many times if not most of the time I fall short of being the husband, father and servant leader that you call me to be.  Forgive me for this and please help me step up.  Give me strength.