Devotional Thoughts

2 Chronicles 36:15     "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: (16)  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy."   We wind our way down in the study of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah. The last several kings did evil in the sight of the Lord before they were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. I won't even mention their names in this devotion. The nation went farther and farther away from God until "there was no remedy". We know the Lord had said, "If my people...", but His people were not humbling themselves. They were not praying. They were not seeking His face. They were not turning from their wicked ways. As long as a people are in that situation, there is no remedy. If you remem

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? – John 5:6 Jesus asked many rhetorical questions. As a master teacher, the Lord seemed to use nearly every occasion not only to glorify God the Father but also to instruct disciples. He did not lecture but rather used life’s many issues to reveal the truth. Thus He used questions to make people (re)examine their motives and perspective. In John 5, when Jesus asked the lame man if he wanted to be made whole, it is clear that He wanted the man to express his desires and admit what he wanted. Too often we see people who are so accustomed to their situation that they are unwilling to change even when given the opportunity. Maybe it is bitterness or skepticism, but all of us suffer from apathy. Having tried and failed again and again on our own, we grow weary of risking disappointment again even if offered help. Enter Jesus the Good Shepherd and Savior. Jesus Christ is

2 Chronicles 34:26-27    "And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; (27)  Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD." Manasseh had died. His son, Amon, began to reign in his place for two years. Amon was so wicked that his servants killed him. Now Josiah is reigning as king. The Lord has touched his heart and he begins to clean the dilemma that has occurred in Judah. As his great grandfather, Hezekiah, he started with the House of the Lord. They began to repair the house of God and cut down all the groves of trees where worship of idols occurred. They also cut the idols into pieces to rid the nation of them. W

2 Chronicles 33:14-16    "Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. (15)  And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. (16)  And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel." This is written of King Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. He began to reign when he was twelve years old after his father died.  I skipped over the parts of his life where he was a failure. To be quite honest, I find myself sometimes becoming low in spirit in this study of the kings of Judah. I say that, and yet, I know for my own

Philemon 1:4-5   "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,  (5)  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" This morning's devotion is to say,   HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I thank my God for each of you and pray you will have a blessed day with your family and friends. God bless each one as we stop this day to offer thanks unto the Lord for all the many blessings He has heaped upon each one of us. God bless you!

2 Chronicles 32:14-15    "Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? (15)  Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?" Our last devotion showed the king of Assyria and his army coming against Jerusalem. Their water supply had been cut off, but they were still determined in their intent to destroy the city and take the inhabitants captive. Their sheer numbers on the scene were intimidating. Their next approach to taking the city was to approach the people with propaganda lies. First, they assumed that Jerusalem's water supply was also stopped. Then they began their arguments to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8    "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:  (8)  With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." When the time of sacrificial offering unto the Lord was over, the people of Judah began to cleanse the land of all the idols and groves that had been established under the reign of Ahaz. King Hezekiah began to fortify the cities outside the walls of Jerusalem. He sought the Lord with all his heart and was blessed in all that was being done.  But as often is the case, Satan does not like when God's people are active.  There was great joy and prosperity and then suddenly the king of Assyria decided he wanted to overtake that which had been prosperous. His army was vast and intimidating. Satan can be intimidating

2 Chronicles 30:21-23    "And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.  (22)  And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.  (23)  And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness." "And the children of Israel kept the feast of unleavened bread with great gladness." They rejoiced in their time of worship unto the Lord. When we read on through the chapter, we are told that this type rejoicing had not been experienced since the days of Solomon when the temple was built.  There was much work that the priests and Levites performed, but they did it wi

  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. – Psalm 34:11 How good are we at listening to the Lord? Throughout the Bible, God spoke audibly from heaven and through earthly vessels. Sometimes He spoke as loud as thunder and in a still small voice. In all ways, God’s will has been presented in the most meaningful way for the hearers. Yet still we have often ignored Him, being led away by our own interests and desires. Many years ago I was walking through the woods on my grandfather’s farm with my dad, me just jabbering on, when suddenly he held up a hand and stopped walking. He said, “Shhh. Do you hear that?” When I told him that I heard nothing, he said, “Listen.” I insisted that I still heard nothing. Finally he said, “Exactly. It’s quiet.” It took me a long time to appreciate quiet. Very talkative and curious as a child, I was easily distracted and carried away not listening to instruction as I should. As a minister, I was introduced to  How to speak,

2 Chronicles 30:13-15    "And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.  (14)  And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.  (15)  Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD." After the priests and Levites had sanctified themselves, King Hezekiah sent letters throughout all Judah and Israel to come to Jerusalem and worship. The letters spoke concerning the length of time since proper worship had taken place. He spoke to their hearts concerning the fact other nations had come in through that time to influence and eventually overtake some of them. There were varying responses when the letters were read. Some of the people laughed

2 Chronicles 29:36    "And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly." After the temple had been opened and cleansed, the priests and Levites began to offer sacrifices unto the Lord on their own behalf. They brought bullocks, rams, and lambs to offer the blood upon the altar for their atonement. They brought "he goats" to offer as a sin offering.  These things were offered unto the Lord to consecrate the priests for the revival that was about to take place. In the book of Hebrews we are told,  "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22)  Since the temple had been closed for so many years, we can know the priests had not carried out the order of worship as God had prescribed. They first were bringing their hearts and minds to the place where God was the focus of their lives. They offered the blood in order to bring back

2 Chronicles 29:16-19    "And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. (17) Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.  (18)  Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.  (19)  Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD." Recently, we saw Hezekiah went

2 Chronicles 29:1-2    "Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.  (2)  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." 2 Chronicles 29:10-11    "Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.  (11)  My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense." Yesterday, I marveled that Ahaz, being the son of Jotham, could be so wicked after his father had done right in the sight of the Lord. Today, I see Hezekiah, the son of wicked Ahaz, doing right in the sight of the Lord. We know his father was not a proper example; yet, we will see him going to great lengths to make sure proper worship is restored. I encour

2 Chronicles 28:1-4    "Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:  (2)  For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.  (3)  Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.  (4)  He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree." 2 Chronicles 28:22-25    "And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.  (23)  For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.  (24)  And

  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. – John 1:10 Have you ever experienced a time where you or someone you know did not receive the recognition they deserved? Such instances are surprisingly common as people (including you and I) fail to take the time to give credit where credit is due. Nowhere is this more of a problem than in our failure to acknowledge the Lord. The Gospel of John tells us clearly that the Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us. He lived in the world of His own making. He “built the house” and yet the occupants so often fail(ed) to recognize it. It is sad when our efforts are not acknowledged, but it is  tragic  that Jesus Christ is not better appreciated. Praise God if you see Jesus for Who and What He is. This sight is a gift that many do not have today. This gift of faith is what empowers us to embrace the adoption we receive by the grace of God. As old John Newton once wrote, “I once was lost, but now am found.

2 Chronicles 27:6    "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God." Jotham began ruling the house of the king while Uzziah, his father, was sick with leprosy. When Uzziah died, Jotham was already well into the daily actions of being the king. We are told that he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. The Lord blessed him and the kingdom seems to be very quiet during the days of his reign. As we know in our day and time, having quietness in the country is not a bad thing. The country prospered under his reign. There is not much said about Jotham in comparison to some of the other kings, but our verse for today seems to say all that needs to be said. "He prepared his ways before the LORD his God." As I read that, I am made to wonder if he had read the book of Proverbs that had been written by his forefather, Solomon.  My mind went immediately to the third chapter of Proverbs: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and h

2 Chronicles 26:14-16    "And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.  (15)  And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.  (16)  But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense." There is one thing that stays with me as I make this journey through the kings of Judah: human nature does not change. Sometimes as I read about a king I find myself thinking, "Didn't I just write about this?"  And I realize as I think back, yes! I did just write about this. The names were different but the nature of carnal flesh comes out and shows itself. The Lord h

2 Chronicles 26:3-5    "Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.  (4)  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.  (5)  And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." What is the key to prosperity? We train our children to have a desire to be successful in life. We want them to do the best they possibly can do. The mantra for many generations has been, "I want my children to have it better than me." That originated with generations who had to scrape and scrounge. For many of us, it came from parents who had to endure The Great Depression.  It meant they wanted us to have a good education and a good job. They did not want us to have to work as hard as they did. I, for one, am very grateful fo

2 Chronicles 25:23-24    "And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.  (24)  And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria." We saw that Amaziah, at the first, did that which was right but not with a perfect heart. He went through motions without the true substance of worship. There is great danger in allowing ourselves to get to that place in life. If you read the 25th chapter of 2 Chronicles, you see the digression that took place in the life of King Amaziah.  I will try to briefly tell how the nation of Judah was weakened through Amaziah's lackluster approach to God. At one point, Amaziah wanted Israel to combine with Ju

2 Chronicles 25:1-2    "Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.  (2)  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart." Amaziah was the son of Joash. The key to today's devotion is in verse two. "He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart."  The Lord truly has much to say concerning this state of heart which was manifested in Amaziah.   Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah when He said, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  (9)  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:8-9) That seems to be the state of Amaziah. Another way to state it might be that he did not mind the people going to the temple and taking their animals to

2 Chronicles 24:1-2    "Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.  (2)  And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest." 2 Chronicles 24:4    "And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD." 2 Chronicles 24:17-18    "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.  (18)  And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass." Joash had been hidden away for six years while the evil wife of his father had ruled in wickedness. We see in the above verses the rise and fall of a man who was gifted and had power. Jehoida was the priest and had great influence on Joash. The house of the LORD had come in

  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21 Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? Many of us have inherited names from parents or other ancestors. Whether your name comes from your father or mother, or if it comes from a book or other source, your name identifies  you . While your name may not be unique, it’s connection to you makes it so, and the way you live will be tied to that name for generations. Your name is how others identify your work and contributions. Your name will be brought up in conversations today and for years to come. Will your name be associated with good or evil? It bears thinking about. Jesus is such a name. It means Jehovah is salvation. A derivation of  Joshua , the name Jesus was the Greek form of that older Hebrew name given to the hero of the Jewish people who led the nation out of the wilderness and into the Land of Promise. Jesus Christ led His people out of

2 Chronicles 22:1-3    "And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.  (2)  Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.  (3)  He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly." After the last devotion, I was eager to look at this morning's Scripture. I thought it had to get better than the last devotion when we saw that King Jehoram had "departed without being desired."  He had died and seemingly no one cared. Now his youngest son is king of Judah. He only reigned for one year. All the older brothers had been killed when the Arabians had come against Jehoram. His mother was the daughter of Ahab and granddaughter of Omri. Most l

2 Chronicles 21:1    "Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead." 2 Chronicles 21:20    "Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings." This morning, I use the first and the last verses of this particular chapter concerning Jehoram, king of Judah. He was the oldest son of Jehoshaphat and had six brothers. King Jehoshaphat had left all of his sons in a very good position as far as earthly wealth. He left them much silver and gold and also gave them fenced cities. But Jehoram was the oldest, so Jehoshaphat gave him the throne of Judah. The first thing Jehoram did was to kill all his brothers. He then built high places in the mountains where idolatrous worship and activities occurred. He had married the da

2 Chronicles 20:24-26    "And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.  (25)  And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.  (26)  And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day." The king and all Judah had been praying, believing, worshiping, and singing praises unto the Lord as they went to the place where the Lord told them to go. As they approached the cliff and looked down into the valley, there were dead bodies on the ground. The Lord is true to His

2 Chronicles 20:21-24    "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.  (22)  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.  (23)  For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.  (24)  And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped." The nations still have Jerusalem surrounded. But instead of Jehoshaphat now praying that he had no strength nor understanding as to how to fight the battle, the Lor

Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake. – Psalm 44:26 One of the greatest and most frequent prayers from the faithful must be for help in times of need. Certainly we should express praise and thanksgiving as often as possible, but I think if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that our most common prayer is for help, intervention and salvation. We need God’s divine help. Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer to these ancient and contemporary and future cries for mercy and deliverance. As long as this old world shall turn and even beyond, we will need God’s help and the Savior is the very manifestation of God’s will toward us. Jesus brought truth and grace to fruition and in Him is all our hope. So we shall continue to plead on sinful knees for God to arise for our help and redeem us not for our reward but rather His mercy’s sake. Amen.