2 Kings 25 Carried Away

 Vs. 21 “Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land.”  The siege of Jerusalem by king Nebuchadnezzar lasted nearly two years.

Have you found yourself “carried away” to a place that is causing you great pain?  You make look back and wonder how you even got to the place you are now in.  Mentally retrace your steps.  What was it that began your downfall?  Wake up and realize that you are in a “foreign” place, a place that God never intended you to be in.  We can so easily become desensitized by sin.  We can wake up one day and realize that we face “foreign”( as in foreign to the truths of God’s Word)  beliefs: slowly being mesmerized by the views of this world; “foreign” words: allowing into our homes through television, movies and magazines, words that uses to set off  warning“bells” in our hearts; “foreign” people, and “foreign” gods: the things that we have put before God in our lives, pushing Him to the back of our lives.

 Let us again go back to those wonderful, healing verses in Psalm 51:10-13  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

Isaiah 57:15  “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy;  I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

 Today, let us cry out to our Heavenly Father in repentance and say to Him, “Carry me home!”

2 Kings 24 The Lord Would Not Pardon

Vs. 3-4   Surely at the commandment of the Lord this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon.”

 God will not pardon an unrepentant heart and a continued pattern of sin.  The consequences may be to be removed from His sight.  All through the Bible God teaches us these clear truths so that we can walk in truth.  To remain in sweet fellowship with Him, we must daily examine our hearts to be sure that we are not continuing in a pattern of sin.  Nothing could be sadder than to be out of the sight of God.

2 Kings 23 Take a Stand

   King Josiah gathered all the elders and the people of Judah at the house of the Lord. “He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord.  Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.  And all the people took a stand for the covenant.”  Vs. 2-3

 We as parents and grandparents can do the same:  gather our loved ones to read the Scriptures and together make a stand to be obedient to His Word.

 Josiah followed his promise to God with immediate obedience. He proceeded to tear down, burn and remove every evil object and person from the land. 

 Vs. 25  “Now before him there was no king like him, (Josiah) who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; not after him did any arise like him.”

 Mark 12:30  “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength;  this is the first commandment.

 Can we take a stand like Josiah did: to stand apart and be different from the world around us who has chosen to live another way?  We must not only hear His word, listen to it, teach it to our loved ones but then take the next step:  have that “holy bonfire” and relentlessly rid our hearts and homes of every speck of evil. 

Long after we are gone, what will others say of us?  Would others describe us like they did Josiah?  “Mom was the godliest woman I ever knew.”  “Grandma cherished God’s Word till the day she died.”  “She was so incredibly obedient to God, at any cost.”  “My parents took the time to read and teach His Word to me every day.” “She loved God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.”  “She not only spoke the truth, she lived it.”

 Let us begin today to live a different and completely holy life.  Let us leave behind a heritage that will change and touch lives for all eternity.  Just what and how much are you willing to surrender and give up starting right now.  Take that stand!!!

May 28, 2009

2 Kings 22 What Effect Does God’s Word Have on Us?

King Josiah of Judah was a godly king. In the eighteenth year of his reign he began repairs on the temple. A priest found the Book of the Law (might have been a part or all of the Pentateuch) which had perhaps been hidden or lost in a past reign of another king. When it was read to the king, he tore his clothes (a sign of sincere remorse) as he heard that God’s wrath would come upon his people because of their rebellion. He immediately sought counsel as to the interpretation of the Scripture. He was told that the Israelites would indeed suffer the consequences of their sin but that he would not see this in his life time because of his personal obedience to God.

How are we affected by reading God’s Word? When we see a truth and know that God is speaking to us, do we “tear our clothes” so to speak, in repentance and with a willing heart to forsake our sin. Perhaps we see the truth but just continue on with our plans of “restoring”, which may be good projects, but not the priority that God has placed before us; that of stopping in our tracks to seek His will, to obey His promptings and to return to a place of full surrender. How precious is God’s Word to us? Do we make it a daily priority to read, study and meditate on it? The effects it has on us can (as it did for Josiah) change the course of our lives dramatically. Our obedience to it can bring peace to our lives.

Tearing Down

May 27, 2009  2 Kings 21

Manasseh, son of the godly king, Hezekiah, could have walked in his father’s footsteps, but instead he chose to rule in wickedness.  He rebuilt the high places of wickedness that his father had destroyed. He raised up Baal altars, made wooden images, set up carved images and sacrificed his son.  (Vs. 1-7)

Have we heeded the teachings of God’s Word and those He has put in our paths to train and teach us how to live a righteous life?  Manasseh walked away from the God of his father.  He chose his own wicked path.  Think about those who taught you to walk in the truths of Scripture; a father, mother, grandmother, friend, Sunday school teacher, pastor or friend. Have we faithfully heeded the wisdom that has been given us or have we slowly begun to walk away from truth.   If we find ourselves slipping (rebuilding the “high places” in our hearts), let this lesson be a stark reminder to be found faithful. 

Perhaps God is prompting you to do some “tearing down” today.  It’s called surrender. No temporary joy of the moment spend in sin is worth the cost of the loathsome feelings and sadness it will ultimately bring to us.  Perhaps it means throwing out that food that is destroying our bodies; seeking out the one to whom you have offended to ask forgiveness, returning to the practice of time alone with God every day;  giving back that stolen object and seeking forgiveness; or reaching out for help to overcome an addictive habit.  Don’t wait another day.  Start that “tearing down” today.

2 Kings 20 The Righteous Cry and God Hears

Isaiah told Hezekiah that he should put his house in order because his sickness would bring about his death.  Vs. 2-3 Then he (Hezekiah) turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.”  And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

As Isaiah was leaving the palace, God told him to return to the king with the message that He had heard his prayer and would extend his life fifteen years and also promised deliverance for Jerusalem.

When Hezekiah was told, he asked for a sign from God that this would come to pass.  Isaiah cried out to God for this sign. God made the shadow on the sundial to go back ten degrees. 

In our time of greatest need, would we be able to say the words of Hezekiah? “I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.”  Could we plead our cause in this way?  Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”  Psalm 5:12 “For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous.  With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” 

God is such a God of mercy.  He hears the cry of the righteous.  He can and does change His mind.  Think of that!!!!  Our cries, our prayers from a righteous heart can change the mind of God  if He so chooses.  Does that not remind us of the mighty power of prayer!

Let us prepare our hearts and lives so that we are able to boldly approach God for mercy and intervention in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.  Today or someday soon you may need to “turn you face to the wall,”  “weep bitterly”, or “cry out” to God for help.  Oh that we would be considered righteous before God!!!!

May 24, 2009 2 Kings 18 Hold Fast to the Lord

Finally a king (Hezekiah) has emerged that is willing to obey completely. In the past some kings “did right” but neglected to destroy the “high places” of false worship. Vs. 5-7 “He trusted in the Lord God of Israel so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.” He rebelled against the enemy and subdued them. In the face of great persuasion from the enemy the “people held their peace and answered him not a word.” (vs. 36) They trusted their king (Hezekiah) and God to give them victory in battle.

Are you in a place where great persuasion abounds? Do you find it hard to believe that God can get you through this? If we, like Hezekiah, are willing to obey completely, God can do the impossible in our lives. In the past He would not give victory because the people chose their own way over His. Many people pray and beg God and wonder why their situation never changes. We must be careful to examine our hearts to see if there may be a reason that God is not stepping in to bring victory and relief to us. We may be doing many right things but we must also be willing to destroy all the “high places” in our hearts. Hezekiah stood apart from the others. Let us be willing to do what is necessary so that we too can be one that “stands apart” from others. Hold fast to the Lord.

 

 May 25, 2009 2 Kings 19 Where do you retreat?

Vs.1 “And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.” Where do we immediately retreat to in time of trouble? Is it to the Lord? Or do we go into a state of inner frenzy or start mouthing off to anyone within reach to whine and cry about our situation? This behavior only makes the situation worse. Hezekiah was wise enough to know that he had to run to God and to the godliest man he knew, the prophet, Isaiah. Then he sent a message to the prophet, Isaiah, to tell him, (Vs. 3-4) “there is no strength to bring them forth (the Israelites)……Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.”

We too, must remember that prayer is our greatest weapon and to recruit those godly saints around us to pray for us. The prophet’s reply to the king was, (Vs. 6) “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard….”This answer also applies to us as we face our enemy and hear their frightening threats.

 Once again Hezekiah feels threatened with a warning letter from the enemy and again, “Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it (the letter) before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord….Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see….save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” (Vs. 14-19) Every time we feel threatened or anxious, we too must “spread our letter” before the Lord. He is our victor, our protector and our only source of solutions. He wants to answer our prayers. How exciting is it to see Him glorified as the world looks on and sees the wonders He does in and through our lives.

 Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” When my daughter was in some rigorous courses in college I could tell as I talked to her over the phone that she was completely overwhelmed and at a point of deep discouragement. My mind went to those wonderful verses in Matt. and I immediately pictured someone with great huge heavy chains wrapped around a yoke placed on their shoulders and barely able to walk a step with such a load. Then I pictured that yoke being removed and another yoke, soft and foam lined, was placed on their shoulders. The load was now light and the walk then became easy. I described that picture to my daughter. Often through her semesters of college I would just remind her, “Honey, you have to switch yokes. You are carrying around a load that is not intended for you.” Do you need to switch yokes?

2 Kings 17 Lead Us, Oh Lord

 Vs. 7-12  For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God….had feared other gods… Also the children of Israel secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right….and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger… of which that Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”

Proverbs 28:13   “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.”

There are no secrets with God.  He knows our every thought and move. 

 Vs. 18  “Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight.”

V s. 20 “And the Lord rejected the descendants of Israel, afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight.  For He tore Israel from the house of David.”

Psalm 5:4-6 “For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You.  The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.  You shall destroy those who speak falsehood. The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” 

 God is amazingly loving, fair, kind, longsuffering and forgiving.  Yet He is also a just and holy God who must deal with our rebellion.  We can provoke the Lord to anger with our lives.  How sad it would be to be rejected, delivered into the hands of tormentors and to be cast out of His sight. 

Instead, let it be true of us, as David stated in the rest of that wonderful chapter: Ps. 5:7-8, “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy.  In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.  Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”

2 kings 16 Our Grasp

 

Vs. 3-4 “But he (King Ahaz) walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nation whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.”

 This king follows that same pattern we keep seeing in these chapters:”

2 Kings 12:3- “But”; 14:4, 15:35- “However”; 15:4- “Except”

 Ahaz means “He has grasped.”  His grasp in life was to do evil.  He chose whom he would serve. He served himself other gods. 

 Again I am reminded of that wonderful verse, Joshua 24:15 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  We may have all kinds of excuses for continuing to grasp at the wrong choices we are making.  Let this be the day that we stop saying, “But, however and except.”

 Grasp for your Bible, grasp for His grace to get you through this heavy trial, grasp for the hand of you husband, grasp for your child and embrace them tenderly, grasp for the phone to call and remind that loved one of how much you love them, grasp for that one to whom you need to seek forgiveness, grasp for those healthy alternative choices in our eating, grasp for joy. God Almighty and His victory are within our grasp. What are we waiting for ?

2 Kings The Sad Saga Continues

The sad saga continues:

Vs. 5 The Lord struck the king so that he was a leper. Vs. 9 Did evil; did not depart from the sins. Vs. 10 Conspired against him Vs. 14 Struck and killed him Vs. 16 All the women who were with child and he ripped open Vs. 18 Made Israel to sin Vs. 24, 28 Did evil Vs. 25 Conspired and killed him Vs. 29 Carried them captive. Vs. 30 Led a conspiracy Vs. 35 High places not removed Evil snowballs in the land. How desperately they needed a leader who would do right completely.

Does America seem to be following in this same pattern? Abortion, pornography, divorce, political corruption, murder, theft, drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, an all time high of rebellion and suicide among our young people, run rampant in out land. God, please save America. Open our eyes wide. Let it start with us as individuals, our families and our churches. Renew our land, revive our hearts. You are our only hope.