THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Chronicles 21-24
“He promised to maintain a lamp for his descendants forever.” (2 Chronicles 21:7)
This book is like a spiritual soap opera, with multiple plot twists and turns.
But two lines of thought continue through the plot.
God’s people keep messing up, and God hangs in there, despite their betrayal.
For God is determined to keep His promise to David: to keep his throne alive forever!
Jesus is David’s heir, but He breaks the chain of sin and death.
He shines out as more than a lamp, He is a light to the world.
He models God-like love and leadership, He is an ‘Adam’ after God’s own heart.
Satan tricks and trips up every other son of David, but not this one.
Jesus refuses Satan’s lies, stays true to God to the bitter end, and overcomes.
Jesus, son of David, Abraham, and Adam, is on the throne again (Luke 3:23-38).
Despite the ongoing soap opera of human unfaithfulness, the light still shines!
Like Jehoida, we stand with the true king against the evil ruler (Satan).
As Jesus followers, we stand with Jesus and declare, ‘long live the king!’
We join with Jesus in refusing Satan and choosing to live with, like and for God!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are our only hope in this dark, messed up world. I pledge myself to You as Saviour and Lord. I stand against the evil in our world and declare, ‘Love live the true king!’
‘He – the Lord – had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.’
The rulers followed their own desires and not the Lord. They even killed their family members to go their own way. Yet God keeps His promises – the promise given in the beginning after the fall. God will prevail and raises up those who do His will. Some kings did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. They stood up for Jesus inspite of all odds. I too need to stand up for Jesus.
1
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not, it must not suffer loss.
2
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
3
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
4
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.