239th Week, II Chronicles Chapters 24-28

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Monday, II Chronicles Chapter 24

II Chronicles 24

Verses 18-20

Heather Proehl

Verses 18-20:  They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.  Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.  Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.  Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest.  He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says:  ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands?  You will not prosper.  Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

THOUGHT

Well, another king messes up again. In the first part of the chapter, things were good, and then they went bad again. In verses 18-20 we see God pursuing him. The Lord was trying to give him another chance. Before punishing him, he sent prophets to him to try to bring him around. Just like God did Joash, he does this for us ALL the time. God is always pursuing us through His Word, His Spirit, our friends and family, etc. God wants us to return to Him and to be close to Him. Stop and listen. Acknowledge God’s pursuing nature and turn toward Him not away. 

I know in my life the Lord has drawn me closer to Him through many different ways. I remember when I had the opportunity to move to NYC. I really felt like I had gotten comfortable in my life and wasn’t relying on God as much. When I got the opportunity to move to NYC, I felt like God was saying, “Come away with Me — you and Me. Let’s go away together and reconnect.”  It was so good for me. I got involved in a church and Bible study there. I knew no one! But I had the Lord on my side and met friends through my church and Bible study. What a blessing!

THOUGHT

Lord, thank You for pursuing us constantly! Thank You for loving us so much that You just want us to draw closer to You. I pray that we would stop and listen to You. Draw us close to You. Never let us go. AMEN

Tuesday, II Chronicles Chapter 25

II Chronicles 25

Verse 2

Heather Proehl

Verse 2:  He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.

THOUGHT

Verse 2 really stood out to me in this chapter. It said that King Amaziah did what was right, but not wholeheartedly.  We hear this in the New Testament as well. We shouldn’t be lukewarm. He was obedient but half-heartedly. That seems to me like it’s not very obedient. We must search our hearts and rid ourselves of any resistance to the obedience of God. Grudging compliance is not true obedience. God asks us to Trust and Obey. We must follow both of those commands with all our hearts. If we don’t put our whole heart in obeying, then we really aren’t.  The same thing is true with trust.  You can’t half trust God. 

I know in my own life that I’m not as successful at things I don’t do all the way. For example, David and I are doing this work-out program. Some days, I’m really dragging and tired. I may only do it half-way, but I’m not really doing it then. I’m not really reaping the benefits. In order to really benefit from the work-out, I have to put my whole heart into it. 

I can list lots of other examples of this, and one of them was the CPA Exam.  When I was sort of studying and sort of hanging out with friends, I didn’t pass. When I really sucked it up and put my whole heart into it, I passed. 

Don’t short the Lord. Give him your whole heart. Obey him out of complete and utter surrender.

PRAYER

Lord, may we obey You completely. I pray that our hearts and intentions would be fully devoted to You. May we truly be obedient. AMEN

Wednesday, II Chronicles Chapters 26

II Chronicles 26

Verse 16

Heather Proehl

Verse 16:  But After Uzziiah became powerful his pride led to his downfall.  He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.  

THOUGHT

Here we see another King fail. His pride brought him down. We see in Proverbs 16:18 that pride goes before destruction. How often do we see this in real life - politicians, church leaders, business leaders, on and on and on?  We see them fail in the public eye — brought down by their pride.  I totally get it though. It’s SO easy to get caught up in yourself and let your pride consume you. 

I know I’m definitely guilty of this. We need to be careful with this. God blesses us - each one of us, with talents, money, influence, popularity, etc. Don’t abuse those gifts. Try not to get caught up in yourself.  We have everything we have because God allows it and blesses us. Be careful. Check your attitudes frequently and remember to give God the credit for what you have. Use your gifts in ways that please and honor Him.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for blessing us. Each one of us has been blessed with unique gifts and talents. Thank You! Lord, may we use these gifts and talents to honor and praise You. May the world see You through our gifts. AMEN

Thursday, II Chronicles Chapter 27

II Chronicles 27

Verses 1&2

Delores Little

Verses 1&2:  Jotham was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years, His mother’s name was Jerusha, daughter of Zadok. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done, unlike him he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices.

THOUGHT

Remember his father got leprosy when he went into the temple, which was not his job as that was the priest's job.  Even though the people didn’t do right, God did bless Jotham all his life as a king.

I look at our world today, and wonder, “Does God bless us if we stay faithful to HIM?”  I do believe He does even with all the evil in our world today. We really have to stand firm in our Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him daily to help us be what He has planned us to be. This winter has been a winter of trials for me health wise, but it teaches me compassion for others who have health issues.  I really try to thank and praise Him for this and trust He knows what He is doing.  The difficult thing is that in some things I really do OK with God and other times, I just fail like crazy even when I know better. That is why every day I need to ask God to forgive me and help me.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I thank You for today.  You have given us the sun, and it looks so nice.  It is wonderful to hear the birds singing, and I know it is praise to you.  If the wind blows and the trees bend, they are praising You. Bless all the Salt Shakers this day with Your joy and peace and lead them through each day.  We pray for repentance to fall on all of our government leaders and open their ears to Your truths Lord. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN

Friday, II Chronicles Chapter 28

II Chronicles 28

Verse 1-4

Delores Little

Verse 1-4:  Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.  Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and SACRIFICED HIS SONS IN THE FIRE, following the detestable ways of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. 

THOUGHT

This king was a mess throughout his 16 year reign.  He was a bad king.  God handed him over to the king of Aram.  Enough was enough.  I’m reading in the books of Moses how God told Moses to warn the people not to do what these other nations were doing. 

This is what happens when we do not obey our God and follow His word for our lives every day. We live in a spiritual battle every day of our lives when we accept Jesus as our Lord.  We either stand firm or give up and go another way. Is being a born-again Christian an easy walk? No way, but I tell you that it is a rewarding one and full of blessings and testing. God is molding us into the way He wants us to be everyday of our lives. He refines us in His fire and makes us better for it.  So stand true to what God has for us each day.  We must be His Word every day of our lives.  That is what helps us face each day ahead. 

PRAYER 

Father God, we ask forgiveness of how we fall short of Your Glory every day of our lives, but how we thank You for what You did for us on the cross. The love You showed us by giving Your only Son Jesus to take our place on the cross and carry all the sins we have done, is beyond our understanding.  Only by Your Love and Grace are we worthy to come before You every day of our lives.  We thank You so much for this. Bless everyone today with peace and joy.  Heal the ill, open up jobs for those who need them and comfort those whose loved ones have died. Bless our families, pastors, friends, our nation, workers in the mission field and Your chosen people.  In Jesus Name we pray.

AMEN