King Hezekiah faced harsh words from the king of Assyria.
Blasphemy. Terror on every side.
So
What did Hezekiah do?
He prayed "because of this"
And cried to heaven. 2 Chron 32:20
And what did God do?
The unimaginable. For them. For us.
"The Lord sent an angel
Who cut off all the mighty warriors & commanders & officers
In the camp of the king of Assyria. 2 Chron 32:21
In truth, The Lord saved Hezekiah from
The hand of all of his enemies
"And he provided for them on every side." 2 Chron 32:22
Won't He do the same for us?
You did this centuries ago. You can do it this day, too. For my friend who lost her husband today. For my child who is in a hard place. For my friend who just lost her teen-age boy. For my husband who embraces impossible odds. Send an angel, Lord.
Acts 8:1 "And Saul approved of Stephen's execution."
Great persecution among the church in Jerusalem.
Disciples scatter.
And Samaria believes and receives the Word of God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These disciples were not afraid to preach the Word. hears an angel giving him a direction to go. Not so much as a detailed plan of what to do. But, to go! And he does. Acts 8:26
When Jesus was with the disciples, they had a hard time following directions. For example, Thomas---I will not believe until I see His nail-scarred hands. No direction taken.
The disciples moved in fear. When asked a question, Peter cowered and said he never even knew Jesus. But here's, a courageous Philip asking if a court official understands what he is reading. May I jump in your chariot? Philip opens his mouth and tells the good news! And the eunuch wants to be baptized! Acts 8:30
Then the Spirit carries Philip away! That's most unusual and scary to me. Not so, though. Philip finds himself in Azotus and starts preaching! Acts 8:40
This story amazes me. Jesus had been with most of these guys for 30 years. One day, He is gone. A grave is empty. And no one sees Him up in the air. They are grieving over the loss and He starts appearing from the Other Side---the inside of them. He now lives inside. And look what is happening in these men that didn't happen when He was physically present. And! He still lives today, inside me and you if we invite Him in! Am I listening for the stirring of the Spirit of God in me? What is so of God this day that I know I can't explain it any other way? May I jump in your chariot?
Great persecution among the church in Jerusalem.
Disciples scatter.
And Samaria believes and receives the Word of God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These disciples were not afraid to preach the Word. hears an angel giving him a direction to go. Not so much as a detailed plan of what to do. But, to go! And he does. Acts 8:26
When Jesus was with the disciples, they had a hard time following directions. For example, Thomas---I will not believe until I see His nail-scarred hands. No direction taken.
The disciples moved in fear. When asked a question, Peter cowered and said he never even knew Jesus. But here's, a courageous Philip asking if a court official understands what he is reading. May I jump in your chariot? Philip opens his mouth and tells the good news! And the eunuch wants to be baptized! Acts 8:30
Then the Spirit carries Philip away! That's most unusual and scary to me. Not so, though. Philip finds himself in Azotus and starts preaching! Acts 8:40
This story amazes me. Jesus had been with most of these guys for 30 years. One day, He is gone. A grave is empty. And no one sees Him up in the air. They are grieving over the loss and He starts appearing from the Other Side---the inside of them. He now lives inside. And look what is happening in these men that didn't happen when He was physically present. And! He still lives today, inside me and you if we invite Him in! Am I listening for the stirring of the Spirit of God in me? What is so of God this day that I know I can't explain it any other way? May I jump in your chariot?
PHOTO: A dark day in Florida when the heavens opened up. Whatever darkness we face, may our first words be prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment