Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Job 42

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. v3

As I wrap a quick study of Job, MacArthur's Bible Commentary helps me better understand a key takeaway from Job's life.  Job did not yet understand why he suffered, yet he fully understood that God reigns with perfect wisdom and justice - there should be no question about God's sovereignty and His perfection as it relates to our circumstances.  

There are times when we don't understand everything about our circumstances - but we can rest on His truths.  That He exists, that He died for our sins, He is our creator and savior, He is in control, He is full of love, grace, and compassion for us, and that He is enough.

This latter point is particularly relevant with Job, for when Job had nothing else - He had God and this should have been enough. Yet Job complained - and when we complain we do so against God.

I too have done as Job has done - so there is no judgement.  Yet in looking back and in looking forward my hope is that I can have peace in knowing that God has me exactly where He wants me.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.  Philippians 2:14-15

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has created all things, is before and in all things and holds all things together.  I know You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But I tell you, in this you are not right,for God is greater than any mortal. Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one’s words? For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it.

Job 33

But I tell you, in this you are not right,for God is greater than any mortal. Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one’s words? For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. v12-14

Job is righteous in God's eyes, yet Elihu is correct in pointing out that even the righteous are not immune to, or undeserving of difficulties.  It is because of all of our sin (1 John 1:8-10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23) that we deserve death.

Yet IN OUR SIN, God sent His one and only Son to save us from the sting of sin and death (John 3:16).  

We have hope.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You will never leave me or forsake me and that You have a plan...a great one and that my hope rests in You.  Thank You Jesus for giving me hope.  Yet I am undeserving.  I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Job 12

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. v13

In the midst of suffering, it is difficult to see how God is working and what He is up to.  Yet Job understands that despite his anguish, God remains sovereign.  Though we can draw close to God and learn more about Him and His attributes, we will never fully fathom Him.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

God is always at work and in control.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

 
We can take comfort that God works for His glory and our good.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:26-28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You are in control and that You are working for my good - I don't know what You have in store for me but I know that You love me and that You will never stop loving me and You will never leave me.  Thank You Jesus.  I would be lost without You.  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me Jesus.  I worry and am harsh with my words and actions.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But now be so kind as to look at me.

Job 6

But now be so kind as to look at me. v28

Job cries out to God in his anguish and He is desperate to see God in his difficulties.  But again, Job does not curse God nor deny His sovereignty.  There will be times in our life when we can barely speak - our pain and anguish is so great.  It is in these times when we must recognize that we can come to God just as we are.  God wants us to depend on Him - we should be desperate for Him.  God hears our cries.

During the Israelites bondage in Egypt, they cried out and God heard them.

The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 3:23-25 

Yet we must also understand that our faith is strongest when we commune with God during both good times and bad.  It is during these good times when we can draw on the goodness of God in hindsight to see all that God has done. As I posted several days ago, we should be building our faith on a firm foundation so that when turbulent times come, and they will (John 16:33), we can remain firm in our faith. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who provides for all of my needs and who has come to save me - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am broken.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friend and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 1

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. v22

We all know the story of Job, and there are many lessons we can draw from Job.  This overview of Job provides a good starting point.

Right away we see Job losing nearly everything...except his wife.  Yet Job does not curse God nor does he question God's existence, His sovereignty, or His goodness.

On the contrary, Job PRAISES God:

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. v21

Job's praise is based on the belief that God provides for all things, we are simply stewards of what He provides, and He is in control and can take away everything, and even in our want we should recognize that God is good and our circumstances are for His glory and our good.  

Easier said than done - but we do have ample scripture to remind us to look at our circumstances and how God views our suffering.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 

 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

 

See also posts on suffering.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is able to provide for all of my needs and cleanse of me my sins.  Thank You Jesus - I would be lost without You!  I am not worth such love because I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Esther 10

Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. v3

Mordecai persuaded Esther (Esther 4) to request relief from Haman's edict to have all the Jews killed.  Mordecai is honored for uncovering a plot to kill the king (Esther 6), and Haman suffers the fate (he is impaled) intended for Mordecai (Esther 7).  

There are several lessons here for us.  One is that in the face of danger, we should be strong and courageous - to fight for what we know is right in the eyes of the Lord. God is with us.  Some of us may face physical harm - others emotional harm - regardless, we can rest on Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone, our rock.  Another lesson for us is that we are to serve one another - to work "for the good of [our] people" in ministry.  Acts 2:45 paints a picture of how the early church did this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You give us "one anothers" who we are blessed to serve and who serve us.  You created the church so that we can strengthen and grow together.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Esther 3

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered. v15

This bible overview commentary indicates that Xerxes (also referred to as Ahasuerus) is someone perceived as weak - easily manipulated one can say.  Haman manipulates the king into issuing an edict that the Jews be killed - this chapter chronicles the background for this edict and the king's erratic (MacArthur indicates that even the people of Susa expressed bewilderment in the king's edict - perhaps as having no basis or cause) and weak behavior.  This stands in direct contrast to that of Mordecai who is seen as strong and principled - he would not kneel for Haman. MacArthur questions whether Mordecai's faith motivated him not to kneel, but over time it is evident that both Mordecai and Esther would emerge as strong and principled in their faith - courageous as well.

For us, we should understand that life is turbulent - see also John 16:33.  But we have Jesus as our rock and our faith in Him should rest on His firm foundation.  With Him we can remain strong.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

 

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love is greater than I will ever comprehend and imagine - You are certainly slow to anger and abounding in love.  You are my strength and my rock.  Thank You Jesus for how You helped me through dark valleys - I am grateful!  Yet I am not worth such love.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.

Nehemiah 10

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord. v28-29

In Nehemiah 9, we have a great summary of God's grace and mercy - in face of Israel's sin - over the course of Israel's history from the time of Abraham through to Moses and the kings that followed.

In Nehemiah 10 we see Israel make a covenant to re-dedicate themselves to the Lord.  Yet as believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should recognize that there our efforts are insufficient to save us - we need Jesus Christ.

My church did a series on the "solas" from the reformation - including one entitled Sola Gratia.

John Piper also writes about how it is the grace of Jesus Christ that we are saved and have faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You would send Your one and only Son so that I could be saved and have eternity in Heaven with You.  Thank You!  What an amazing gift - without a doubt the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry...and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.

Nehemiah 8

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.v8

After the wall was rebuilt, the people assembled and Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.  As the people worshiped they responded with Amen and there was great joy (v12, v17) "because they now understood the words that had been made known to them".

When we converse with God, reading and studying His Word, and we do so diligently, we will not only find God, we will find what God promises as the Holy Spirit comes upon us - the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors[.] Proverbs 8:34

 

Matthew Henry, in his commentary, states: "[s]pare hours cannot be better spent than in studying the scriptures and conversing with them".

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You have made Yourself known to me, in many ways, and daily through scripture, where You meet me, speak to me, and provide for my daily bread - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God because I worry, about my job and my family.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes...Our God will fight for us!

Nehemiah 4

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes...Our God will fight for us! v14, 20

Nehemiah 4 serves as a metaphor for our lives as we attempt to build a life based on Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.  Just as Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod worked to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the Pharisees and Sadducees, among others, all rejected Jesus.

As I posted yesterday, our role in the church is very important because our fellowship with other believers serves to strengthen us as we fight the forces of this world in our faith.  

Most importantly, we have a God that will fight for us - just as Nehemiah states in v14 and 20.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You can beat the dark forces of this world because You have beaten death and sin - You have overcome!  Thank You Jesus for helping me gain victories over sin - I continue to need Your strength.  I am not worth such love. I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that.

Nehemiah 3

Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. v8

Of particular note here is how broadly all those in Jerusalem participated in the rebuilding of the city walls and gates.  Matthew Henry remarks as much.  No job is beneath anyone and Henry notes there is "no strife" among those at work.  Many whose profession did not include building pitched in - as noted here in verse 8 this included both goldsmiths and perfume makers.

We are all called to serve both personally and corporately - as a church.  When we come together as a church it is remarkable how God uses these occasions for others to see God at work.

At my previous church, we served corporately through Southbridge Serves and my current church always does a Christmas concert at a local shopping venue.

We must humble ourselves - serve in any capacity God needs - and allow God to work through us personally and corporately.

^" Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God - able to do amazing things through me and through the church.  Thank You for providing us with a church home that supports our relationship with You - this is a gift from You.  I am not worth such love and such a gift.  I worry - among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Nehemiah 2

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” v20

Nehemiah prays to God for wisdom about how to approach Artaxerxes regarding rebuilding Jerusalem.  God gives Nehemiah courage and wisdom in his dealings with Artaxerxes and so the rebuilding process began.  Immediately, Nehemiah is "mocked and ridiculed". 

As believers, we face such mocking or scorn whether personally or culturally.  

John spoke of this on several occasions.

We must feel God's strength and our confidence must rest in Him, not on earthly approval.  This is a particularly difficult lesson for our younger generation that is maturing and finding their way in the world.

As we guide our younger generation, which include my sons, we must reinforce that we are aliens or strangers in this world and the world will sometimes hate us, what we do, and our God.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

 

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this. Shall we then break your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor? Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”

Ezra 9

“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this. Shall we then break your commands again and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor? Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.” v13-15

Ezra's emotional plea and prayer should resonate with all of us as he acknowledges the greatness of God and His grace.  Here Ezra is pleading with God that intermarriage not allow the sons and daughters of Israel to be taken away by the sins of this world.  For those of us who are parents, this is our prayer for our sons and daughters.  Although we are "in" the world, we are commanded not to "conform to the patterns of this world" (Romans 12:2). 

See post here regarding how the world will see us as we strive to be the light God intends us to be.

We must first and foremost fellowship with God, then with other believers.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who gave us Your Son, the church, the Holy Spirit, other believers, The Word, etc. so that we can be strong in Him.  Thank You God for all that You are and all that You have done. I am not worth such love.  I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

Ezra 3

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. v12

In Ezra 1, we see God moving the heart of Cyrus to allow the Israelites in Babylonian exile to return to Jerusalem.  As work began to rebuild the temple, those not old enough to remember the temple as built by Solomon shouted for joy while the older generation who did remember wept.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary further details the sorrow of those who did not see the rebuilt temple as "match[ing] the splendor of Solomon's temple nor did the presence of God reside within it".   Matthew Henry, I believe, correctly points out that for those filled with sorrow they should recall their own sin (particularly as priests and Levites) as part of the cause for their exile.  They should focus not on the size of the temple but on the amazing grace and mercy of God who was no less great in the rebuilt temple.

Yet, this is what we do. We look at what is seen - church buildings, programs, etc. as if church was a product for us to consume - I know I have done this myself.  Our focus should always be on God and our relationship with Him and how our present circumstances reflect His glory because that is why we exist. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, full of love and splendor and You need no building!  I am so grateful for all that You are, and all that You have done in my life!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

2 Chronicles 36

The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. v15-16

As I wrap up my study of Chronicles and the various kings of Israel and Judah, I can see how patient and full of grace God is.  In v1-14 we see three other kings who "did evil in the eyes of the Lord" and the resulting punishment and consequences of these sins.  This is the primary story of Chronicles - the grace and faithfulness of God - that He made a promise to David that there would also be someone from His line on the throne.  Although once again we see that God's patience is not unlimited, we do see how "again and again" God provided opportunities for His people to repent.  I can never tire of expressing in this blog the incredible nature of God's grace - not just for Israel and Judah - but for me!

God is slow to anger and abounding in love. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned[.] John 3:16-18

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - that You give me SO many opportunities to turn from my sin - You are full of grace, slow to anger, and abounding in love...You also give me You Son...thank You God!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 35

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem. v18

We must remain present to the Lord.  What we find in 2 Chronicles 34-35 is that during the repair of the temple, the Book of the Law was found.  According to the MacAthur Bible Commentary, it is likely that the Book of the Law went missing during the reigns of Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon - three kings who preceded Josiah (Hezekiah between Ahaz and Manasseh).

With the Book of the Law missing, I am sure it became even more difficult to remain present to God.  Written copies of it were rare and for one to go missing was likely a big deal - one would think it would surely be missed.

As a follow up to yesterday's post, we must find ways to remain present to God.  We must be in God's Word daily in study, reflection, and prayer - scripture memorization is also a good spiritual discipline.  We should maintain a heart of gratitude.  As part of a heart of gratitude, we should - as Josiah (and Hezekiah) does here - take time on special occasions or holidays to celebrate what God has done for His people and for us individually.

This short book - Practice of the Presence of God - is worth a look (see also here).

Ultimately, we are called (see Romans 12) to be a living sacrifice.

Of course, easier said then done - but with God's help all things are possible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is with me always and whose words are in my heart.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

2 Chronicles 33

Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. v13

For believers we need to go to God daily, to remind ourselves of God's greatness, to thank Him for what He has done, and to cleanse ourselves of our sin.  If we do not, we remain separated from God and this wedge grows.  Although God's patience is not unlimited, He does want us to come back to Him so that we can reconciled and restored.  Manasseh does come back and his story is our story - we all wander.  The key then is to not wait to be restored and reconciled.  Go to God daily, if not more, for what we have done so that we can turn from our sin towards Him who can better direct our steps then we can. 

For God to remain visible in our lives, we must have a heart of gratitude - this reminds us of how much God has done, how great He is, and how we all need a Savior.

My Prayer:  Lord You are indeed a great God, who has done many signs of wonder in my life.  I am amazed at how You work.  Thank You Jesus for how You have blessed me.  My cup overflows.  I am not worth such a God.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. v31

God wants us to use our lives to proclaim His greatness.  All of us are miracles and He has he worked wonders in our lives - He wants to use us to reach others.  I am doubtful that God left Hezekiah in the sense Hezekiah was unable to communicate with God.  God is everywhere and accessible for all of us - it is more likely that God stopped working in the same way He had been (see v30 where it says "He succeeded in everything he undertook."). 

This speaks to the "dry spells" in our lives where many of us feel that God has stopped working in our lives.  This is not possible. 

God will be with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12-13).

When we claim that God is not working in our lives we must look more vigorously for Him to see what He is doing because He is doing SOMETHING.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me and always working in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”

2 Chronicles 31

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” v10

Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Chronicles 29) and led all the people back to God, promising God's grace and compassion for those who turn back to God (2 Chronicles 30). Hezekiah then led the people to contribute to worship (2 Chronicles 31).

In verses 5-10 we see people giving generously which implies a great amount of obedience and trust - trust that God will provide.  This trust is often difficult for me as I often worry about my ability to provide.  

God please help me trust in You that You can and will provide for all of my needs.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You DO provide for all of my needs and I have never been in want.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

2 Chronicles 26

They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.” v18

In verses 16-17, Uzziah's pride became his downfall and Azariah and the other priests confronted Uzziah. 

We must remember that as believers we are part of a Royal Priesthood:


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9


As part of this Royal Priesthood we must take a stand for proclaiming truth.

Yes we are called to submit to earthly authorities placed over us but our first and foremost call is to God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is the way, the truth and the life and You provide life abundantly!  I am blessed - thank You Jesus.  Yet I am undeserving.  Please forgive me Jesus for my worry and other sin.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

2 Chronicles 26

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success. v5

We must be careful drawing a direct relationship between seeking God and success.  We can say that all success is from God (James 1:17, Deuteronomy 8:18, 1 Chronicles 29:11-12).  However, we cannot say that God will give us success without qualifiers - we do not have a merit-based relationship with God, instead it is grace-based.

God will provide for us what He wants us for us.

We should seek the Lord because we love Him, because He commands us to, and because it provides what nothing else can provide.

See also post yesterday regarding how God promises how we will be blessed and filled.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is full of love and grace for me and You have blessed and filled me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love - I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.

2 Chronicles 25

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. v2

King Amaziah of Judah did not love the Lord wholeheartedly as commanded in Exodus 20 and elaborated further in Deuteronomy as "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul". 

We are also warned in Revelation not to be lukewarm:

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:14-17

Yet many of us don't love the Lord wholeheartedly either - but why?

My view is that many of us don't find joy in pursuing God in the same way we pursue perhaps earthly passions.  I know...I've been there and often find myself there.

We must lean into God - or pursue Him vigorously.  He does promise us that we will be filled:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

We are also promised fruits of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has filled me and my cup overflows - thank You for the many ways You fill and bless me Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, judgment was executed on Joash.

2 Chronicles 24

Because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, judgment was executed on Joash. v24

We have no control over when and where God dispenses His grace. Our salvation is by grace alone:


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

While Jehoiada the priest was alive, "Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (v2).  However, after Jehoiada dies, Joash demonstrates wickedness by conspiring against Jehoiada's son
Zechariah and Joash was killed in his bed (v21-25).

Yet the question for all believers is: how is Joash's faith any different then our faith and what makes Joash any less deserving of grace.  From time to time, even Ahab experienced God's grace.  On a daily basis, we all sin.  

Repentance is key - and unfortunately we don't see any mention of Joash's repentance.

Keep in mind that just because we repent does not mean we escape the consequences of our sin (see also post here) - it just means that we are sealed for eternity in Heaven with Him.  See also Luke 23:39-43.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who is rich in grace, compassion, and mercy.  I am not deserving of such grace, compassion and mercy.  I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead.

2 Chronicles 22

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. v4

We know from previous readings (see 1 Kings 16:30) that Ahab did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  In fact it is said he "did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him".

So it is no surprise that Ahaziah did evil in the eyes of the Lord as he chose Ahab's family to be his advisers.  We must be careful who and how we include in our life.  We are to love those in the world but not to conform to the world.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world[.] Romans 12:2

 

Instead, we are intended to live in fellowship with other believers who can mutually help each other grow in Christ.

 

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God full of love and compassion for me.  You provide for all of my needs and You are always with me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and compassion.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.

2 Chronicles 20

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. v17

Although Jehoshapat "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (v22), he sinned - as do we all.  See verses 35-37.

In the face of a grave threat from the Moabites and the Ammonites with some of the Meunites, Jehoshapat, with the people of Judah, sought the Lord's help (v3-4).

Indeed, on a daily basis, we will face the forces of darkness and Satan (see 1 Peter 5:8).  Yet we have God on our side (see Ephesians 6:10-20) and we should recognized that God will fight for us.

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. v15

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:13-14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who will never leave us or forsake and who fights for us - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.

2 Chronicles 19

Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. v7

Jehoshaphat appoints judges in Judah and is careful to point them to the Lord for their wisdom.

Solomon recognized this:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

We must understand that we are not to go God for wisdom in big decisions but in ALL decisions and for ALL of our life.  This requires transformation of the mind.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

It is this DAILY renewing of the mind that should be our focus as this will serve to help God mold our hearts and minds into His image.

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose wisdom far surpasses my own understanding and it provides for all of my needs and I would be lost without You and Your Word.  Thank You Jesus for loving me despite my sin.  I am not worthy - I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.