For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:10-11

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 23.  Here, John Piper describes - per the devotion's title - God's Indescribable Gift.  He starts by asking how believers receive reconciliation with and exult God.  He then provides the answer as "we make [the] portrait [of Jesus in the New Testament] the essential content of our exultation over God." Piper then points us to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 as Paul describes conversion. We are then pointed to Romans 5:5 where Paul describes how "God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Piper uses this verse and shares how it describes how we exult in God in "its fullest experience."  Piper then points us to Romans 5:6 where we read how Christ "while we were still weak, at the right time, died for the ungodly." We are to ponder this reality as we approach Christmas. Piper concluding thoughts for the devotion: "Not only did God purchase our reconciliation through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10), and not only did God enable us to receive that reconciliation through the Lord Jesus Christ, but even now we exult in God himself, by the Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11).  Jesus purchased our reconciliation. Jesus enabled us to receive reconciliation and open the gift. And Jesus himself shines forth as himself the indescribable gift — God in the flesh — and stirs up all our exultation in God. Look to Jesus this Christmas. Receive the reconciliation that he purchased. Don’t put the gift on the shelf unopened. And when you open it, remember God himself is the gift of reconciliation with God. Exult in him. Experience him as your pleasure. Know him as your treasure."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is worthy of all honor and glory.  You came to save me and all sinners - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an indescribable gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me 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 love me.  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 and 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, apply Your Word for me today and every day.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.]

Isaiah 61-63

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.] Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 2 focuses on a more detailed examination of Isaiah 61. Core to an examination of Isaiah 61 is how we see a prophecy of not just Israel's redemption from Assyria (who took northern kingdom captive during the middle of Isaiah's ministry) and Babylon (who took the southern kingdom captive well after the end of Isaiah's ministry), but also a Messianic prophecy and how Jesus Christ comes to redeem all of humanity from their sins. My study refers me to Luke 4:13-21, and urges a comparison to Isaiah 61:1-2.  This comparison reveals that in Luke 4, Jesus is early in His ministry and in Nazareth reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue.  Jesus reads everything from Isaiah 61:1-2 except how the anointed one will proclaim vengeance.  This is important because Jesus's ministry was not one that was expected in terms of a an earthly conquering king, but of a King who's mission was to defeat sin and death, and to provide hope and salvation for all of humanity, not just Israel.

It is important for us to recognize how vengeance is the Lord's - He is the judge.  This should both give us fear (in our own lives for the sin we commit) and peace (that others will face justice for the sins they commit). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is Judge - this should serve as a preservative for me to not commit sin, and as peace that all will be repaid for the sin they commit.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings.  I am not deserving of Your Justice, grace, salvation, etc. My sin is great and it continues.  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 love me.  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.

[For all] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.]

Romans 3:24(b)

[For all] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.] Romans 3:24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to the next section of chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, where the focus on 3:24 and a discussion of redemption. My commentary defines redemption in its similarity to "freeing of slaves through a payment."  It goes on to describe how in the Old Testament, the blood of the Passover Lamb provides redemption for the first born sons who were spared the plague of death in Egypt. Jesus' death on the cross is described as the "New Exodus."  Four basic components of this New Exodus:

1. Need of redemption
   
2. Price of redemption
   
3. Glory of Redeemer
4. Familial nature of redemption

In terms of need, in the OT Israel suffered political, economic, social, and spiritual slavery and in the NT the need for redemption is magnified as "we are dead in sin and in need of new life...under God's wrath...slaves to sin...in the kingdom of darkness...[and] in need of transference into the kingdom of light." In terms of the familial nature of redemption, throughout scripture we experience God's endearing language towards His people, and in the NT, we are adopted into His family as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You paid a price for my salvation and You continue to bless me immeasurably - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  But my sins continue, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me for my sins and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  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.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.]

Romans 3:21-31

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.] Romans 3:22-24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, which covers Romans 3:21-31. My focus this morning is Romans 3:21-24(a). As a starting point - without referencing my commentary - I focus on Paul's description of righteousness "manifested apart from the law".  The Jews saw the law as the basis for righteousness but Paul is writing that since we all sin even with the law, then no matter how well-versed we are with the law, including in deeds in obedience to the law, we are not righteous. As a matter of fact, Paul has just stated as such in 3:9-18 - not a single person is righteous.  Paul goes on to state that ultimately there is righteousness only through and with Jesus. Also in v21 is Paul's phrase that "the Law and the Prophets" bear witness to it - referencing v22 where there is a clear implication that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the many prophecies from the Old Testament prophets who wrote about the promised Messiah. V23 is a oft-quoted verse about our fallen nature and v24 builds our hope as we have justification and redemption through Christ.

As an introduction to the this chapter, my commentary refers to Romans 3:21-26, by way of quoting several other commentaries, as perhaps the most important in the entire book of Romans, as each of the "mega themes of the saving righteousness of God" are present, including justification, redemption, propitiation, grace, faith, and more!

This morning in particular, the focus starts specifically with "intervention" as described in 3:21. This verse starts with "But now" as Paul pivots from our fallen state to the hope in Jesus Christ. My commentary then moves to "justification" and how we "become right with God" - righteous by faith in Christ and not of our own effort (see also Philippians 3:9). The commentary describes this justified status as having a "new identity, a new family, and a new hope of enjoying a new creation."  My commentary also encourages us to not forget from v24 that we are justified by grace as a gift (see also Ephesians 2:8-9).

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who intervened, justified and redeemed me from my sin and gave me righteousness in Your sight - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  It is only by grace - thank You!  But again I am not deserving as my sin continues daily.  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 love me.  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.

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Job 18-21

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

Day 256 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Job as both Bildad and Zophar for a second time address Job to seek to comfort him, and to help him understand his suffering.

John MacArthur refers to Job's hope in vindication after death.  "[H]e would enjoy perfect fellowship with the Redeemer.  That Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of whom Job spoke is the clear message of the gospel." All believers have this hope in redemption.  

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who saved and redeemed me - thank You Jesus!  You paid the price for my sins - and freed me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I yearn to be with You with every day and I know I will someday see You with my own eyes.  I am not deserving of a God that does this for me.  I sin...pride, arrogance, worry, etc....every day!  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 love me.  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.

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Judges 10-12

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Day 78 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) primarily focuses on Jephthah, a mighty warrior who rose to lead the Gileadites (a tribe of Manasseh). During this time, Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and "sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites" (Judges 10:7).  Civil conflict also arose with Ephraim (Judges 12:1-4).  Jephthah overcame both the Ammonites and Ephraim in battle. 

DesiringGod.com has a great post on how Jephthah, along with Gideon, Barak, and Samson from the book of Judges, are captured in Hebrews - the faith hall of fame. The post references commentary* from Tremper Longman and Ray Dillard:

What a collection of human beings in the book of Judges! Strange heroes they are—a reluctant farmer, a prophetess, a left-handed assassin, a bastard bandit, a sex-addicted Nazirite, among others. It is easy at a distance to point out the foibles and failures of the leading characters in this downwardly spiraling story. 

But lest we get too proud, Paul reminds us, “That is what some of you were” (1 Corinthians 6:11). With similar mixtures of ignorance, frail obedience, and tangled motives, we, like them, were “washed, sanctified, and justified” by the grace of God. For all of their flaws, we are to learn from their faith. For it was in faith that Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, and Samson “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised”

*An Introduction to the Old Testament, Longman and Dillard

 Longman and Dillard reference 1 Corinthians 6:11 where Paul talks about conflict and sin among believers and he specifically calls out cheating and lawsuits among believers.  Paul then goes on to write how we should not be quick to be proud among such a crowd, assuming we are righteous while others are not:

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 

Longman and Dillard go on to encourage us that even though all of us as believers are broken, God called up for us one (Jesus Christ) who redeems our sin and uses it for His glory. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who rescued me...flaws and all!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love and such a gift.  I sin...daily.  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 love me.  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.

"Even if someone is not redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Exodus 23:10-11-Leviticus 21-22, 25

"Even if someone is not redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 25:54-55

Day 53 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues to focus on Moses Laws, including laws for the priests, Sabbath for the land, and a Year of Jubilee (every 50 years) - during the Year of Jubilee, there is a redemption of servants.

My commentary* indicates that the redemption of servants during the Year of Jubilee represents "both a nobly humanitarian provision and a foretaste of even greater spiritual redemption in the era of the Messiah".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.  

While it is important to read the entirety of the Bible, including the OT laws given to Moses through God, we must recognize that through Christ we have redemption, which implies Christian freedom - and John Piper provides many posts about what this means, including this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided freedom from slavery to sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a redemption - I sin...daily.  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 love me.  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.

And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.

Genesis  37-38

And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah. Genesis 38:29-30

Day 17 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the early years of Joseph (and his brother's sale of him to the Midian merchants/Ishmaelites who ultimately sell him to Potiphar in Egypt) and the story of Judah and Tamar.

The story of Joseph is just beginning at this point, and I will come back to it for sure in the coming days.  As well, the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) is just unfolding because we know that Jesus is a descendant of Perez, whose parents are Judah and Tamar (see genealogy in Matthew 1).  It is for this reason I pause on their story - because time and time again we see God redeem sin and use broken and sinful people as part of His story to save us.

My commentary* indicates: "The most important aspect of this seemingly insignificant story will come to light only after many centuries have passed. At that time it will become evident that a descendant of Judah (through Perez) will become God’s messenger to all mankind—the Messiah".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Additional insights and thoughts on this from DesiringGod.com include Prostitutes, Mistresses, and the Messiah, and The Best of the Boring Parts of the Bible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has adopted me into Your family despite my sin and brokenness - thank You Jesus!  I am in awe of Your love for me.  I am undeserving.  I sin...daily.  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 love me.  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.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. v13

Paul uses his encouragement for self discipline (see post yesterday) to then discuss temptation and how we can resist and fight temptation as a means to endure in our race. We have the Holy Spirit, God's grace, and the power of redemption to spur us on, even when we stumble.  There is a battle for our soul but with God on our side - we will defeat sin and be free from the sting of sin and death.

Read more about John Piper's thoughts on this here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me in my battle with sin and for my soul - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful that You have saved me. I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  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 love me.  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 men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 11

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. v32

The Book of Jonah tells us the story of a prophet commanded by God to go to the sinful city of Nineveh and preach to the inhabitants to repent of their wicked ways. Jonah refuses and runs from God - in his arrogant opinion he does not believe those in Nineveh deserve God's grace.  It's certainly not our job to judge others as God alone is judge.

Yet we know the rest of Jonah's story as He is swallowed by a giant fish after he flees God - and God rescues Jonah.  Jonah then goes on to preach to Nineveh as God requests and the city is spared from God's wrath.  

This is a great story of redemption - not just Jonah but also Nineveh...and all of us.

We all have regret and shame over sin in our past but God will still use us and He loves us. 

I am so thankful that God sent His One and Only Son.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great and gracious God - thank You for sending Your Son Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love.  I daily miss the mark.  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 love me.  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.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 3

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. v10

This morning I am reminded of how God's grace and mercy is available to us all - even when we believe we have sinned beyond where God would provide such grace and mercy. See also verse 5:

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

"[T]he greatest to the least" infers not just social, economic and political stature but also the degree to which people have sinned and disobeyed God.  You see...if we repent, salvation is available to ALL.  Paul was a murderer (Acts 7-8)...as was Moses and David (by way of conspiracy).  

Additionally, God redeemed the sin of these biblical heroes through the death of His Son Jesus Christ and used these people for something ONLY God could design and create.  I think also of Chuck Colson.  We should not question God's plan to save as we don't know God's plan for those He is saving (see also Isaiah 55:8).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an incredible God You are that You are able to use broken and sinful people like me to do incredible things.  I have seen the miracles in my own life that You have done.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry, am harsh with others, etc.  Please forgive me 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 love me.  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 King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the Lord?”

Jeremiah 37

Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the Lord?” v17

We know from elsewhere in the Bible (2 Chronicles 36, Jeremiah 52) that Zedekiah did not do what is right in the eyes of the Lord:

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel. Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:12-14

Yet, at the same time we see Zedekiah inquiring about the Lord's will from Jeremiah - there can be no other explanation than Zedekiah was misusing the name of the Lord.  

We all rebel against God at various times and points in our life, including any time in our life when we we are not believers.  We have a God - in Jesus Christ - who want us back and who welcomes our return to Him.  While we are not immune to any punishment for our sins, either during our time on earth or at our judgement day, we can return to Him and He can redeem our lives for something new.  This is true even for those who feel like they are the worst of the worst.

Think of the Prodigal Son, Paul (Acts 7:58-8:3, Acts 9), Franklin Graham and Chuck Colson to name just a few examples. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is always there to welcome me back - no matter what I have done.  Thank You Jesus for so much grace!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  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.