KING HEZEKIAH

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AND HIS MOTHER WAS…

Read 2 Chronicles Chapters 29–30

 

Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king… His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD… 2 Chronicles 29:1–2a NIV

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Reading through the stories of the Kings of Judah and Israel can be very discouraging. There were so many bad kings and so few good ones. But whether they were evil or good, the narrative often includes this phrase: “His mother’s name was…” The kings of Israel were greatly influenced by the women in their lives, both wives and mothers. From wicked queen Jezebel to faithful queen Esther, we see that women have held a significant role in history. Though they were not usually making the decisions, they were definitely influencing the character of those who did.

* * *

Lord, thank you that Your Word honors godly women and their role in shaping the characters of the Bible. May I never accept the voices that would demean the importance of my job as wife and mother. Help me to teach my children the truths of Your Word and faithfully discipline them to be respectful of their parents and their God.

* * *

“The older women… can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:3a-5 NIV

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR BELIEVERS

            It has become an essential part of my Christian life to read and meditate on the Bible every morning.  Fellowship and encouragement with other believers is also important, but even more we need the encouragement God gives in His Word.

* * *

            Yesterday morning I was feeling particularly burdened by the growing attacks on the Bible and on the Christian faith.  These attacks are particularly hurtful since they are so irreverent and blasphemous toward the Lord I love and serve. But God has called me into the world of blogging and that is cause for rejoicing and praising Him. I have never had so much opportunity to share my faith with so many people all over the world.

* * *

            The Bible makes no effort to be politically correct; and deals with absolutes of right and wrong, and that is why so many atheistic governments have set out to remove it from circulation – even throwing Bible teachers in prison. This is still going on in places like China where the Olympic Games will be held this year.

* * *

            Unfortunately, our own government, (USA) particularly in our public schools, has allowed atheism to become the established state religion. The longer I post online the more evangelistic I see this religion to be.  It is not enough to say they don’t believe in God or the Bible – It seems to be an active cause to attempt to destroy the faith of those who do. It is certainly a cause to remove any evidence of belief in the Bible from public places.

            Well, the purpose of my Blog is to share God’s Word with all who would care to read it, and to model personal application of Scripture in a format of prayer. But today I just wanted to share a passage that was particularly encouraging to me. It is a familiar passage, but somehow it spoke volumes to me yesterday morning about the indescribable value of God’s Word in our lives.

 

Psalms 19:7-14

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

Yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey

and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

INFLUENCE AND CHOICE

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THE RESCUE OF JOASH

Read 2 Chronicles 22:1–12

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah… He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. 2 Chronicles 22:2-3 NIV

* * *

Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah was perhaps the most evil woman who ever lived, with the exception of her mother Jezebel. She murdered her own grandsons so that she herself could assume the throne. But Athaliah’s sister, wife of the priest, rescued baby Joash and hid him in the temple for six years. At the age of seven, Joash was made king and he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest. (24:2)

* * *

After Jehoiada died, the ungodly officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. “Therefore they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. (2 Chronicles 24:18 NKJV) King Ahaziah was influenced by his wicked mother, Athaliah, and King Joash was influenced by godly Jehoiada the priest–but in the end both of them rebelled against God.

* * *

Lord, I pray for the personal salvation of each one of our children. Help us to influence them toward God, but also to teach them that ultimately, the choice must be theirs to follow Him.

* * *

… to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 NIV

COULD THIS BE THE CHRIST?

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SAMARIA

Read 2 Kings 17; John 4:7–29

 

* * *

When Samaria was resettled by Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, he was superstitious enough to believe that the people needed to worship the “god” of that land. So he brought back one of the exiled priests to live in Bethel and “teach the people what the god of the land requires.” (2 Kings 17:27) But each national group had its own gods for which they set up shrines and idols in the mountains. They were taught about the God of Israel, so they knew about the promised Messiah. But their religion was a mixture of truth and error.

* * *

This passage is the background for the New Testament story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In a conversation about worship in the mountains, the woman said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:25–26)

* * *

Dear Father, there are many people around us who are accepting a mixture of Christianity and pagan religion. Help us to be ready to share our faith in Christ with kindness, clarity and simplicity–as Jesus spoke to this woman.

* * *

     Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:28-29 NIV

     So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria… The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. 2 Kings 17:23b-24 NIV

CHARIOTS OF FIRE

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Read 2 Kings 6:8–23;   Ephesians 6:10–18

            “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”     2 Kings 6:16 NIV

 

* * *

            The king of Syria (Aram) made war against Israel, but every time he planned where he would camp, God would speak to Elisha who would warn the king of Israel. When the king of Syria found out that Elisha was the informant, he sent horses and chariots and a great army to capture him.

 

            Elisha’s servant arose early one morning–and there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” and the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  (2 Kings 6:17 NKJV)

 

            As we read the miraculous events in the lives of Elijah and Elisha, it is difficult to relate. But God’s Word tells us that we too are surrounded by angelic protection. We are in a spiritual battle just as real as the physical one Elisha experienced. But God has promised that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

* * *

            Lord, I pray for your protection for my family and my church as we seek to glorify You and share Your precious Word in our community and throughout the world. Help us to be prepared by putting on the whole armor of God. [Ephesians 6:10-18]

 * * *

            “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Ephesians 6:14-16 NIV

I HAVE TO WHAT?

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NAAMAN

Read 2 Kings 5:1–14

            “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?”   2 Kings 5:12 NIV

 

* * *

            Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria, (Aram) enemy of Israel. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. His wife’s young Israeli servant, who had been captured in a raid, told him that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him.

Naaman expected some sort of dramatic production by Elisha the prophet, but instead he was told to humble himself and wash seven times in the Jordan River–the territory of his enemy. At first he reacted in rage saying, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)

 

            Like many people today, Naaman balked at the simplicity and humility required for his healing. Some find it hard to admit that they are sinners in need of Jesus who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Through him we have forgiveness and eternal life.

 

* * *

            Lord, thank You for giving Your Son on the cross so that I could be cleansed of my sin.  Give me the opportunity to share my faith, just as Naaman’s servant girl shared hers, even in enemy territory.

 

* * *

  So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.   2 Kings 5:14 NIV

EMPTY JARS AND DITCHES

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* * *

Read 2 Kings 3:1–4:7

 

“Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the LORD says: ‘You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.’ “ 2 Kings 3:16-17 NIV

* * *

In these stories, Elisha performs two miracles: One for the armies of Judah and Israel, asking God to deliver them from the Moabites–and the other for a widow and her sons who could not pay her creditors.

* * *

In each case, Elisha asked them to do something that demonstrated their faith: The armies were to dig ditches–in anticipation that God will fill them with water. The widow and her sons were to gather empty jars–believing that God would fill them with oil.

* * *

Both the armies and the widow were faced with a situation they couldn’t handle alone. They had to acknowledge that God was able to meet their needs, by obeying the Word of the Lord spoken through Elisha. The jars were filled with oil and the ditches with water–which miraculously appeared to be blood–causing the Moabites to be defeated.

* * *

We too can be victorious when our hearts are filled with the water of God’s Word and faith in the shed blood of Jesus for our sins. Like the widow’s jars, we will be filled with the oil of God’s Holy Spirit.

* * *

Lord, I bring my empty jar to You. Fill me with a double portion of Your Holy Spirit as I walk out into this day, and may the oil and water continue to flow out to others through me.

* * *

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37b-38 NIV

Thoughts On Blogging

I have been looking through my personal journal over the past few months, since I have entered the world of blogging. Certainly it has been a blessing, far beyond anything I expected, and it has also been a challenge as I have interacted with those who oppose the message of God’s Word.

I thought I would share some of my entries in the hope that it may encourage other Christians to step out and share their faith. Some of these entries are direct from Scripture on a day when I needed it, and some are from writings by Oswald Chambers.

• Jeremiah 20:9 “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I was weary of holding it back and I could not.”
• 2 Timothy 1:2 “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
• Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
• Oswald Chambers – “There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.”
• Oswald Chambers – “God engineers everything; wherever He puts us our one great aim is to pour out our whole hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.”
• Oswald Chambers – “Spiritually we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us; and we cannot measure that at all.”
• Acts 18:10 – The Lord said to Paul, “Dismiss your fears; go on speaking and do not give up, I am with you and no one shall attack you or injure you; for I have many people in this city.”
• Acts 11:23 – About Barnabas – “He encouraged them all to remain with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.”
• Acts 4:20b Weymouth – “As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about.”