2 Chronicles 32:6 Hezekiah rallied the people, saying, "Be strong! Take courage! Don't be intimidated by the king of Assyria and his troops—there are more on our side than on their side. He only has a bunch of mere men; we have our God to help us and fight for us!" Morale surged. Hezekiah's words put steel in their spines. What a beautiful picture of a Follower leading. When in trouble in verse 20, he responded by praying, calling up to heaven. When he was sick, again he prayed and God gave a reassuring sign. But H. became proud over that sign instead of grateful---wonder what it was? Oh what a word to me this day to be grateful not arrogant! Grateful over all that our Beautiful God has done. For as he prayed, God was touched! 2 Chronicles 33:16. And it is only by the grace of God that He has surrounded Him on all sides and protected him. My son knows what is in the Book. In chapter 34, it says they weren't obeying a thing written in the book they found. As my son enters a new chapter in his life, may this Book of the law depart from him and give him success in God's eyes. Joshua 1. My prayer for my boy this day and always is 2 Tim 4:7 that he fight the good fight of faith, finish the race, and keep the faith! There's so much to distract a young man this day from following his God. But there's a Mighty God listening to you, listening for you every day. May the prayers go up for you and by you. And may God be touched!
Over and over and over, the main thing that comes to mind as I read through these old testament chapters is the GRACE God shows His people. It seems like every other chapter one king does good by the Lord, and the next king does evil. One king will remove the shrines and other gods, and the next king will rebuild them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, even before Christ"s sacrifice, our God"s grace covered His people. Judgment often fell; however, many times God forgave their sin, overcame their guilt, and restored the kings and their territories.
Oh, I feel so blessed this morning, because of the Power of the cross, and the Power of the Holy Spirit I am forgiven and set free. That as a Child of God, I can freely & boldy approach the throne of God and the rest is in His hands.
I am just in awe and so thankful for the Holy Spirit in our lives, and am humbled that He has called me to serve Him.
Bev - Praise the Lord for your sons accomplishments today. Your prayers as a mom truly encourage me to one day if I have children.
Have a blessed day!
Do you notice at the end of these chapters it says,
ReplyDelete"All through Josiah's life the people kept to the straight and narrow, obediently following God, the God of their ancestors."
I'm used to reading:
GOD, my GOD.
GOD, your GOD.
But now it says, God, the God of their ancestors.
Not very personal, don't you think?
I see so many things in this book that remind me of the fact that there is evil in us. We are one decision away from being remembered just like these kings are remembered...evil in the sight of God, or good.
And the king they are all compared to is King David. None compare.
We've seen Christ come as the suffering sacrificial servant. Can you just imagine how He will be when He comes as The King of Kings??
Bev, please tell your son congratulations on his graduation. May He be filled with wisdom and knowledge from God, blessed with the Hand of God guiding him into his future, and humble as he recognizes life strategies that bring him to the destiny God has designed just for him. May he honor God and love Jesus, depending on the Holy Spirit to show Him the way. And Bev, may you and your husband sit back and just relax in the time you both find yourself in right now. God loves you all and cares about all the details of your lives. I know that things are not the best, but it is His purpose for you right now. May His Glory be revealed through your reflection of His Son in your lives.
Be blessed,
deborah
"And then, after this exemplary track record, this; Sennacherib king of Assyria came and attacked Judah. He put the fortified cities under seige, DETERMINED TO TAKE THEM." ( 2 Chronicles 32:1)
ReplyDeleteWe see that determination in verses 9-19. The enemy "sets up camp" and begins to try implanting seeds of doubt. "Do you think you're safe? Don't be stupid-Hezekiah has fed you a pack of lies..don't trust him..." Comments continued, mocking God and Hezekiah.
This made me think of Britt going off to college with an "exemplary track record" of a godly heritage.
How I pray he will stand firm. Be strong! Take courage! Don't be intimidated by the enemy! The onslaught just seems to intensify when you leave home for college.
Josiah..."kept straight on the path blazed by his ancestor David, not one step to the left or right."
Praying for Britt to have the same tenacity.
I love how Josiah's obedience is described as following God "heart and soul." Praying the same for Britt. No half-hearted committment for him! And I join Bev in praying for the fight to the finish. And may there be joy in the journey!
Congratulations Britt!
Blessings,
FG Forever Grateful
With tears rolling down my cheeks, I thank each of you for your beautiful heartfelt words for my boy whom I have adored ever since he was in footed pajamas and pulling little red wagons and playing with hot wheel cars. Brit has brought me so much joy over the years! Can't thank you enough for your kind and weighty words! It has been a very good day watching God close this chapter! HE was there.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a great mom, Bev. Britt is such a fine young man and a great example of one who was prayed through his whole course. I add to those prayers today for his walk to be tethered to Christ Jesus, for his eyes to look to Him, for his thoughts to be consumed by His Love. It is so hard for young ones today. Congratulations to all of you for a job well done. Love, Annette
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