May 4–2 Chronicles 29-31

“In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he (Hezekiah) opened the doors of the house of the Lord. . .and said to them, ‘Listen to me, O Levites, consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord. . .and carry the uncleanness out from the holy place”(29:3,5).

Who knows when God gave Hezekiah eyes to see the true need? His father had certainly not been been an example of godly wisdom. Suddenly (see 29:36 for the mood of this entire story), the king realized the invisible, spiritual realities impacting his nation. Their struggles and defeats had Spiritual causes and cures! It all finally made sense!

In chapter 29, we listen with great interest as he verbalizes his convictions to the gathered priests. What clarity! What leadership! “Our fathers have been unfaithful. The wrath of the Lord is on us. Do not be negligent. The Lord chose you to stand before Him. We must act together,” said the young and courageous king. O that leaders in this present hour would stand to speak with equivalent moral authority!

The days that followed were bright with energy and hope. Temple worship was restored. The Passover was reinstated. Altars to false gods were removed and destroyed. A great healing began!

It must always be. Revival comes when one (or many) see history through the lens of spiritual reality. Boldly they declare the judgments of God, and His available mercy. National conditions are understood as spiritual consequences. Believers are summoned to service and holy lives. Lost men are called to belief and obedience.

Friend, are you convinced that revival is possible and necessary? Do you affirm the huge potential of a single soul with eyes and courage like Hezekiah’s?

“We’ve a story to tell to the nations (our own nation) that will turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. For the darkness will turn to the dawning, and the dawning to noon day bright, and God’s great kingdom will come on earth, the kingdom of love and light” (H. Ernest Nichol).

“Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?. . .I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them turn back from folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him” (Psalm 85:6,8).

May 3–2 Chronicles 25-28

“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king. . .He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart”(25:1-2).

If I call Jesus Lord, I must do so with my WHOLE heart. “Part of me” is a formula for failure. Christ gave ALL for me. He requires and deserves the same in return. “Jesus paid it ALL. ALL to Him I owe,” sings the old hymn.

Not an easy decision. At the moment of salvation a new man was created. A new me. Forgiven. Recipient of the Spirit. Even so, the “old man” continued his proud independence in me. Twisted and deformed, dishonest and stubborn this “wretched man” is still present, struggling for recognition and control.

I must never be naive about this ongoing inner conflict. I must not be tolerant or undecided. The old man is to be denied! Daily! I am to walk away from his counsel and wisdom.

The story of Amaziah makes me sad. At times, he leaned on God’s law and made wise choices. At others, he leaned on himself and the wisdom of others. See 25:14-16. A proud man. Superficially surrendered. In the end, he paid dearly for it.

Friend, today, will you give God your WHOLE heart? In daily denial of all other loves, will you choose Christ over self and this world? With honest courage will you confess the places still unsurrendered in your heart?

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1).

“For the flesh sets itself against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please”(Galatians 5:17).

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Jesus, Mark 12:30).

May 2–2 Chronicles 22-24

“After the death of Jehoida the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord. . .and served the Asherim and the idols” (24:17-18).

Do you have a godly friend? Someone whose counsel and influence consistently points you toward Christ? If so, you are blessed. Do you have other friends who do not seek the Lord? Whose lives and choices rise from self and the values of the world? If so, you are in danger.

As Judah walked in dangerous winds (political and spiritual), a succession of kings came to power. Over time, it became clear that the value of each (sometimes good, sometimes not good) was determined by his inner circle. His friends. His counselors. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20).

Amaziah was particularly a disaster! Ezra explained the problem. “He did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction“(22:4, italics mine).

In today’s reading, so long as the Joash had Jehoiada as his mentor/friend, the young king served with distinction. However, in the unforgettable words of our Lord in the Parable of the Soils, “he had no root in himself.” After Jehoiada’s death, Joash welcomed secular “thinkers” into his cabinet and counsel (24:7). So feckless was he, that when Jehoiada’s son challenged him, this ungrateful king ordered his execution. How Judas-like! What a betrayal of this godly family and their faithful friendship over the years!

Scripture teaches that we have both opportunity and responsibility to choose our friends. To pursue those who pursue God. To avoid those who reject Him. Dear friend, do you recognize this great and God-given power? Are you exercising it for good?

“Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company” (Booker T. Washington).

“I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked” (David, Psalm 26:4).

May 1–2 Chronicles 18-21

“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath on yourself from the Lord?”(19:2).

Jehoshaphat was a man of genuine Spiritual insight. His prayer of faith in the battle of Moab (chapter 20) stands as a high point in the history of Judah. “Our eyes are on you, Lord.” Inspirational moment!

Jehoshaphat, however, was also a weak man. (Good to remember that this dual reality is present in every life. My own included.) In chapter 18, he foolishly entered into an alliance with Ahab (the idolatrous house of Omni). Even the warnings of Micaiah were not enough to dissuade him from going into battle with this unbeliever.

Disastrous decision. The infection of immorality soon spread. After Jehoshaphat’s death, his son Jehoram, under the corrupting influence of Ahab’s family, murdered his brothers and built high places for idolatrous worship in Judah. It was the beginning of a downward turn from which Judah would never fully recover.

In 2 Corinthians 6, the scripture commands us to not be “unequally yoked”. Not to join ourselves in mutual enterprise with people of different spiritual identities and purposes. We are not to admire them, nor be in relationship with them. No marriage. No affection. No alliance. “He walks NOT in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers,” says Psalm 1. God’s people do not “love those who hate the Lord.” See 19:2 above.

God requires us to stay away from those who are His enemies. This separation is an act of moral courage and an expression of exclusive love. In Genesis 14, Abraham refused the gifts from the corrupt king of Sodom. Wanted no association with him. Such wisdom would have served Jehoshaphat well. Would serve us well, too.

“You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you” (Unknown).

“Evil influence is like a nicotine patch, you cannot help but absorb what sticks to you” (E. A. Bucchianeri).

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’ “(1 Corinthians 15:33).

” ‘Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate.’ says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to Me’ ” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

April 30–2 Chronicles 13-17

“His disease was severe, yet even in his disease, he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians”(16:12).

A great start is no guarantee. Only those who continue to seek the Lord finish well.

King Asa is a warning to us.

He had a brilliant beginning! Early evidence of a heart for God. GREAT victories as a result. See 13:18. See 14:11-12. Godliness IS a means of great gain. How blessed is the man. . .

Gradually, however, Asa lost his first love. Having begun in the Spirit, he eventually turned to the flesh in search of security. Worldly solutions were applied. An alliance with Aram. An explosion of anger when confronted by the prophet. Oppression of his critics. Pride. Even when disease came, he refused to humble himself and seek the Lord. Did you read his story, dear one? Do you see the danger of drifting from God?

His funeral was especially melancholy. He built the mausoleum himself. Accumulated a store of spices. Ordered a big bonfire when he was gone. It was an unprecedented extravagance, even for royals. A sad, almost comic, attempt of a insecure man to regain former glory without the true repentance required to do so. See 16:14.

Better had he listened to the prophet. (Better if we do the same.) “The eyes of the Lord search through out the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His“(16:9). Here, again, we encounter a jealous God. He will not be among our priorities. He must be first. He wants all of us. All of our days.

“I have found that it is not how you start, but how you finish that counts” (Brittany Engels).

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place–unless you repent”(Revelation 2:4-5).

April 29–2 Chronicles 9-12

“When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire. . .and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, she was breathless” (9:3-4).

In Romans 11, Paul says that one of God’s purposes for the church is to make Israel jealous. As the Jews observed the life, confidence and joy of New Testament life (see Acts 4:13), Paul hoped/prayed for a deep feeling of inadequacy in their hearts. Envy. Hunger for the same power and joy. He prayed FOMO for them. Fear of missing out.

2 Chronicles 9 tells a similar story. When the queen of Sheba visited Solomon, the wisdom of God (in its most practical expressions) was on display. The order, the dignity, the intentionality and wisdom of the daily operation of Solomon’s house was “breathtaking” to her. Literally. With great insight, she traced it back to God, gave the credit to Him.

As salt-and-light believers in a dark world, our assignment is the same. As we shine our light, people are to SEE our good works, the wisdom that informs the way we do marriage, home, work and community. With holy assertiveness, the Spirit declares that God’s plan for life is BETTER than the world’s plan. Our lives are to be the evidence of this claim.

In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul reports the reception of the gospel among the people of Thessalonica. The gospel came with, “power and Holy Spirit and full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you” (v. 5, italics mine). How Paul and his team lived gave powerful endorsement to God’s message.

We must not be awkward or unprepared for this task. “No one lights a lamp and then hides it,” says Jesus in Luke 8. His light in us must be declared, even with the predictable discomfort that it creates in the hearts of others.

As He did with the Queen of Sheba, God is attracting people to Himself by making them jealous. How careful and confident we must be as we walk with the Spirit before a world of lost observers!

“I will make them jealous by that which is not a nation”(Romans 10:19).

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”( 1 Peter 5: 15).

April 28–2 Chronicles 6-8

“If. . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (7:14).

God created us for friendship with Him. Real relationship. Mutual love. In the words of the Christmas story, “God with us” is the goal. His presence is the foundation and first principle of true life.

As the day for the dedication of the temple came near, Solomon was concerned. For all the expense and effort necessary for the construction of this magnificent building, the wise king secretly wondered whether it was enough. Does a holy place make the people holy? We hear his questions in 6:18. Since God cannot be contained in a building, doesn’t it follow that no building is, or can ever be, the essential fix?

Eventually, Solomon arrived at the conclusion of all godly men. How can God dwell among men? PRAYER is the HOW of His friendship. For all the gold and grandeur, a temple is a sad failure unless true prayer happens there. See the words of our Lord in Matthew 21:12-14.

So Solomon prayed that day about prayer! He asked God to always answer prayer. Prayers spoken in the temple. Prayers spoken toward the temple. (Remember how Daniel prayed toward the temple? See Daniel 6:10.)

In a dream that same night, God promised to do what Solomon asked, but on certain conditions. Some people say God’s love is unconditional. Maybe so, but His friendship isn’t. In order to be His friend we must pray. In order to pray, we must attend to His unbending requirements.

If My people. To know Him in prayer, we must first belong to Him by faith. Prayer is a privileged conversation the Father offers only to His children.

If My people humble themselves. To know His friendship in prayer, we must acknowledge His greatness, our smallness; His holiness, our sinfulness.

If My people seek My face. God insists that we desire an ongoing relationship with Him, not just His help in an emergency. He does not want to be used and then discarded. Who does?

If My people turn from their wicked ways. Sincere repentance and faith is a prerequisite. No one can desire God and still choose sin. It is impossible, false at its very foundation.

Do you desire His friendship and help, dear one? Prayer is the How.

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I shall seek’ ” (Psalm 27:8).

April 27–2 Chronicles 1-5

“Then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God”(5:13-14).

They saw and felt it. In Hebrew, the word glory is kabod. It means “weight”. As a cloud filled the new temple, the priests could feel the heavy weight of God’s presence. On their skin. On their shoulders. In their souls. Pressing down like a warm blanket. Evidence of His presence. Testimony of His eternal significance.

Ironically, it was an experience of NOT seeing. A cloud. Impenetrable to eyes and logic. Mystery.

It was God’s self-declaration! In the presence of so many distracting sensory experiences (the sight of gold, the sound of praise, the smell of fresh wood walls and sacrificial smoke), the cloud was His reminder. The most important (heavy) things in life are not things. God is what (Who) matters. He is true wealth.

Solomon should have taken note. The rest of his life was a slow decline from this high peak. In the years that followed, wealth and power gradually distracted his heart from God. Wise enough to ask God for wisdom, he was foolish enough to drift from the lesson. Blessed by God with wealth, he was eventually crippled by it.

Friend, where do you find your significance? Your security? In success? In the approval of others? In family? In wealth? On this day of dedication, Solomon would have been wise to fix his heart on the pursuit of holiness. It is not gold on the walls that makes a temple beautiful (or a life successful), it is the presence and approval of a glorious God.

Lord, teach me this lesson! Remind me, again and again, that I am the new temple (all believers) intended to be filled with Your presence. You with me and me gladly with You! This is the true value, true significance of my life. Guard my heart from ever desiring anything but the filling of His Spirit.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe”(Ephesians 1:18-19).

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

April 26–1 Chronicles 27-29

“The treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple. . .Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord? Then the rulers of the father’s households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the overseers of the king’s work offered willingly for the service of the house of God and they gave 5000 talents. . .of gold, and 10,000 talents of silver. . .and the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly. . . and King David also rejoiced greatly”(29:3, 5-6, 9).

All of his life, David led leaders. Inspired them. Challenged them. Brilliantly. Intuitively. Much of what he accomplished came from his God-given ability to build a team of gifted people. In the first part of today’s reading, notice how David charged individuals with specific tasks. Consider how motivated they were. How affirming for them to know that the king trusted them (entrusted them).

In chapter 29, David gathers the leadership team to challenge them with a different task. Solomon is young. Inexperienced. Funds would be needed to build the Temple. After making his own public commitment, David calls on these leaders to do likewise. He challenges them to give as he had done. He leads by example. David’s last campaign was not military. It was financial.

God loves cheerful givers. He strengthens leaders to inspire others in the realm of stewardship. No compulsion or force was used. The leaders of Israel gave gladly because they were led well by a wise King.

In 29:10, David prays over his team. Publicly humbles Himself before God. (Given the normal impact of money and power on a person’s ego, this is an extraordinary display.) As he bows in reverence that day, David is, again, leading others.

Friend, are you a leader of leaders? Do you pour yourself into others? Do you influence others in generosity, in bold witness, in prayer? As you obey Christ, will you reckon the multiplied effects that come as we influence and encourage others?

“And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He might send them out to preach”(Mark 3:14).

“The things you have heard from me. . .these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”(2 Timothy 2:2).

April 25–1 Chronicles 23-26

“The Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle. . .their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the Lord. . .they are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise at evening”(23:26,28,30).

Did you get ready? This past Sunday, when you went to worship, were you prepared? Mind focused? Will surrendered? Heart hot?

Some believe that worship, in order to be authentic, must be unrehearsed. Spontaneous. “In that day, the Holy Spirit will give you the words,” they say, quoting the words of Christ. The not-so-hidden implication is that pre-thought or advanced preparation for worship (whether in sermon study, or choir practice or written prayers) is unSpiritual.

David disagreed. For all the spontaneous and meaningful moments of worship David experienced with God (see blog for April 23), corporate worship was equally worthy of planning and preparation. He understood the need and the place for both.

Just as he gathered material for the construction of the Temple, David also gathered and organized needed personnel. He gave the Levites a new task. Since they no longer needed to carry the tabernacle from place to place, they would now focus on worship.

Musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, too, every detail was considered and coordinated in advance. Teams tasked and trained. All part of a great and majestic plan. David had a vast vision for what worship should be. As you read, today, will you allow your mind to imagine tabernacle worship?

Praise is the center of a healthy and strong nation. David knew it. Wise leaders still do. Not flattery toward an insecure God, rather recalibration of life to Spiritual priorities! Praise redirects attention from self to Spirit. It opens the fretful mind to the larger possibilities of God. Productive and profitable, worship is a fountain of life and strength. David never grew weary of calling people to this task. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”

Have we learned his wisdom, dear one? When we gather is God praised? His name announced? His great works declared? Have we learned the value of focusing our minds and affections on God? To this end, a gracious God calls us to prepare praise!

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised”(Psalm 48:1).

“Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips’ ” (Hosea 14:2).