2 Chronicles 28-9.19.22
Scripture
2 Chronicles 28:22 NLT
“Even during this time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the Lord.”
Observation-What does it say?
King Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and ruled over Judah. However, Ahaz did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the LORD (vs. 1). He casted metal images to worship Baal. He offered sacrifices, (even sacrificing his own sins in the fire). He followed all the detestable things the surrounding pagan nations did. As a result, God allowed the surrounding nation’s armies to conquer, plunder, and imprison their land. But, even throughout all these hardships, King Ahaz refused to turn to God. Instead, he chose to follow the gods of the armies who defeated him. He thought if their gods helped them defeat him, they would help him too. WRONG!!! Instead it lead to King Ahaz’s ruin and the ruin of Judah.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Don’t let your hardened heart and stubbornness be the ruin of you.
You’ve seen it before. Whether it was from some of the previous kings from this 2nd book of Chronicles, or from the Pharaoh of Egypt in the book of Exodus. What you see is people who have hardened hearts towards God, people who are stubborn, and people who turn to sinfulness. It is because of these things that causes ruin in their homes and their empire. But what could have prevented it you may ask? Well, the first thing is they should learn from history. King Ahaz should have known the stories of the successes and failures of each kingdom before him. He should have seen the common denominator of each successful kingdom (the kings who did what was pleasing to God), and each kingdom which failed (the ones who turned their back on God). Not learning from the previous kingdoms’ mistakes and success was his first mistake. The second mistake, (which proved to be his downfall), was not turning to God and repenting from his sins. God is very patient with each and everyone of us. He is a God that gives us multiple chances. So, I’m sure if King Ahaz would have cried out to God for help and asked for God’s forgiveness, he could have spared his people and even maybe himself in the process. But, instead he chose to dig himself into a deeper hole with God. He chose to worship the gods of the ones who defeated him and held his people captive. He chose to arouse God’s anger upon him, which ultimately left Ahaz in a hole he did not get out of…his grave.
“For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.””-Psalms 75:10 NLT
Life Application
Repent, turn to God, and ask for God’s forgiveness before it’s too late.
King Ahaz didn’t learn from other kings’ mistakes. Maybe he thought he was above it and that it wouldn’t happen to him. But, as the Bible tells us, “Pride comes before the destruction.”-(Proverbs 16:18a). So, never think it can’t happen to us. But, if we do catch ourselves in sin, repent, turn to God, and ask for forgiveness. Do it now before it’s too late!
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” -1 John 1:9
-Moses Gaddi
2 Chronicles 27 - 9.16.22
Scripture - What stood out?
2 Chronicles 27:6
Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
Observation - What does it say?
A brief history of Jotham as king of Judah. Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The bible says that Jotham does not repeat the sin of his father Uzziah, who had given in to his pride and led to his downfall.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Thank you Lord for highlighting this verse for me today. I needed to hear this statement. A statement of fact. A statement of consequence. Jotham grew because he continued to walk with God. I needed to hear this today, Lord.
My company, much like my life has taken me through a whole bunch of twists and turns. Over the past two years my relationship with my direct supervisor has grown because I have tried to honor him to the best of my ability and I have tried to apply biblical principles to our professional relationship. Today I continue to reap the benefits of simply honoring my boss, even in moments when the desire and emotion to honor him is not there.
Help me Lord to walk steadfastly with you like Jotham did. There is a part of me which desires to grow powerful. But I ask that you purify my heart and help me to cultivate a desire to know and love you more.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Create in me a clean heart o’ God!
John 6:26-27
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Holy spirit I pray that my life in Christ becomes more disciplined today. Teach me Father on how I can live a life that was like Jotham’s, a life that was steadfast in You. Help me not to seek the gifts, but the giver. Transform me and make me more like you. Bless me in this Father as I seek to bless You. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
Psalm 73-9.15.22
Scripture
Psalm 73:13-14 NLT
“Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.”
Observation-What does it say?
This is a psalm of Asaph. In this psalm he wondered why the wicked seemed to be prospering. He envied them. They seemed to gain all the riches, and had no worries because they didn’t have a problem in the world. For Asaph, these wicked people seemed to live such painless lives; their bodies were strong and healthy, and the richer they were becoming, the crueler they would become. What was going on here?
Then God revealed to Asaph the destiny of the wicked. God had put them on a slippery path that was doomed with destruction! Asaph realizes that he was foolish and ignorant for envying the wicked. He realizes just how blessed he is for following God. And as long as Asaph remains faithful to God, God will be faithful to him. A glorious destiny awaits for Asaph when it’s all said and done.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Stay the course. Don’t be distracted by what others are doing.
This verse hit home with me because I too was once like Asaph. When I first became a Christian I would see others around me, living an aimless, Christ-less life, and they seemed to still be reaping all the world’s benefits. They were driving nice cars, going to nice colleges, and getting nice careers started for themselves. And here I was following God whole heartedly, struggling paycheck to paycheck, barely had enough to go to junior college, and working a dead end job. Is this the life I was destined to live?!
But like Asaph, God revealed to me that he had more in store for me if I just stayed the course. God had bigger and better things for me to accomplish, if I would just trust in Him. That moment in my life helped grow me as a Christian. It helped make me into the man I am today. I too (like Asaph), realized just how blessed I am to have God on my side. That no matter what comes my way, I can handle it, because He is with me!
“Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Psalms 73:23-26 NLT
So who cares what others around me may have?! Their happiness is put in things that wear out over time, things that may be taken away in an instant. But my happiness is in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior and His blessings are eternal.
Life Application
Trust in God’s plan.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”-Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Sometimes the best way for me isn’t always going to be the most comfortable path or even the most glamorous path. A lot of the times, the path that God will put me on is going to be rough and a bit bumpy. God will be using it to bring maturity and growth in me. He is refining me through life’s fire and life’s tests. But at the end of the day, He is always with me. And as long as I stay faithful to Him, I know that He is always faithful to me. And there is nothing in the world I would trade that for!
-Moses Gaddi