236th Week, II Chronicles Chapters 10-14 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, II Chronicles Chapter 10

II Chronicles 10

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Well, this chapter really deals with the rebellion of Solomon’s son Rehoboam.  After reading this, we found out that Solomon must have really put heavy loads on the people. When they came to his son, they asked if he would lighten the heavy yoke on them.  He said he asked the elders, which was a smart thing to do, but he really didn’t like what they said.  So he asked his friends who were his age, and they of course said to make it heavier. 

In verse 16 it says, “When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:  ‘What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, O Israel!  Look after your own house, O David!’  All that David and Solomon had done came to an end, and Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.”

I can see that happening in our nation today with all that is going on. Our country is in rebellion against our Heavenly Father whether they know it or not.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God.  In Hebrews 10:31 it says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Now I want you to understand that when this happened in Chapter 10, it was an act of God.  In verse 15 it says, “So the king did not listen to the people, for THIS TURN OF EVENTS WAS FROM GOD, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.”  I King 11:29-33 tells the story.

As we read this, I want you to realize that this can happen here also.  We can fall just like God’s people did back then. That is why we need to read God’s Word daily and be filled with the Holy Spirit so we can share the good news when asked.  His Word never returns void where it is sent. Our mission is sharing the Gospel with others. It is easier with believers but must be done with the unbelievers.  Let’s be the lights in our country and world today and take one day at a time.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we too have been in rebellion in so many things.  Help us to be what we need to be for Your Kingdom. Lead us daily for Your Glory not ours. Heal the sick, comfort the ones who have lost loved ones, be with our Pastors and make them strong in You and Your Word.  Keep them faithful to God and His family and church.  AMEN

Tuesday, II Chronicles Chapter 11

II Chronicles 11 

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Rehoboam wanted to get the house of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Israel with 180,000 fighting men, but God said no through Shemaiah, the man of God. They obeyed the Lord and went home.  Next he fortified Judah and made many towns very strong. Notice that the Priests and Levites sided with him.  

In verse 14 it says that “The Levities even abandoned their pasturelands and property, and came to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had REJECTED them as priests of the Lord.” Going on in verse 15 it states, “And he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he had made.” He did the very thing God commanded in Leviticus 17:7 not to do.  As it says, “They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for their generations.”  I love verse 16, “Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their fathers.”

Today we see this kind of thing with people worshipping the wrong way and making up their own beliefs. That is why we need to know all the Word, not just part of it. I don’t know about you, but I really have had idols in my life and didn’t even realize it until I read the Word.  May we recognize this and have the armor of the Lord on so that we can defend ourselves. 

PRAYER

Father, we thank You for today. Glory to God. Bless everyone today, and let this be a great day for them at work, at home or whatever place You lead us to go.  We thank You. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN

Wednesday, II Chronicles Chapter 12

II Chronicles 12 

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Verse 1 says, “When Rehoboam’s position as king was established, and he became strong, he and all Israel with him ABANDONED THE LAW OF GOD.”  He became unfaithful after being king of Judah for 5 years.  King Shishak from Egypt attacked Jerusalem with lots of men trained for war.

Shemaiah, the prophet, came and told the king and his men what God told him. From verse 5, “This is what the Lord says, ‘You have abandoned Me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.”  Well the King and others humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just”.  God didn’t let the other king hurt them.  The King got all the gold out of the temple and carried it away.  Instead of gold, bronze was used by the king to replace things.  He reigned only 17 years, and I noticed his Mom was one of the women his Dad should not have married as she was not of God’s people. 

See how important it is to go God’s way and not the way of the world. I remember in the 70’s, even as a believer, I didn’t think God could do things fast enough.  I put Him on a shelf and failed to ask Him what I should do.  I got myself into a whole lot of trouble. I learned a great lesson in it, and from then on I ask Him for help in everything. Sometimes the answer comes quickly and other times it takes longer.  However, we still know that God is the One who knows what is best for us and when it should happen.  

PRAYER

Father God, how we love You and our Savior Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Please open our eyes and hearts to You. We give You thanks in everything whether we understand it or not. You are always there for us even when we don’t feel You at times. Help us to stay faithful to Your calling on our lives, working, mothering, being a father, son, daughter, grandmother and grandfather, niece, nephew, cousin and friend. Open jobs for those needing work and heal the ill. Take care of service men and women and protect Israel from those who want to destroy Your country and people.  Bless this day, Lord, and thank You again for being with us.  In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN

Thursday, II Chronicles Chapter 13

II Chronicles 13

Bart Strayer

THOUGHT

I like this chapter because of the sole principle of verse 18: “The men of Judah were victorious against Israel because they relied on the Lord.”

This is such an important reminder. The men of Judah had called on God and put their trust in Him, and He made them victorious. God set out to reward the people of Judah before the battle even started. God knew the outcome. It is kind of interesting when you think about it. 

I am still thinking about job stuff this week. I probably have said this before, but when Mindy was going through a job change at work, she asked God for guidance and His favor. It got to the point where she felt it was from God, and she really wanted the job. I told her before her interview, “If this is of the Lord, the job is yours even now, before you get interviewed.”

PRAYER

Lord, teach us more about You as we read Your Word. We thank You for Your guidance last week.  We ask for Your favor in our lives as we seek You this week.  Thank You for Your never-ending love. AMEN

Friday, II Chronicles Chapter 14

II Chronicles 14 

Bart Strayer

THOUGHT

Wow, this section of Chronicles has all kinds of good stuff in it. I am trying to remember when the last time was that I had so many good scriptures to comment on.

Again, we have scriptures with the same concepts as last time. Verse 11:  Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”

We all go through periods in our life when our spiritual walk with the Lord gets a little weak. I notice at times I seem to drift further from the Lord than I like. During these times, I seem to lose the concept of this verse. I notice I feel less dependent on God and feel more dependent on myself.  Without notice, this becomes normal. It is just what the devil wants. I pray that if that is you today, take time to confess it to the Lord and run back to Him.

PRAYER

Lord, we ask that You would help us see areas in our life where we have become self—reliant.  May we become ever more reliant on You. In Jesus Name.  AMEN